The British Fashion Council (BFC) will honor the late designer Joe Casely Hayfordat this year’s Fashion Awards ceremony with a new postgraduate scholarship in his memory and a Special Recognition Award.

The event, which is scheduled to take place at the Royal Albert Hall in London on December 4, will pay tribute to the visionary designer’s lasting legacy and his contribution to fashion and culture.

Taya Francis, who studies at Nottingham Trent University, will be the first recipient of the Joe Casely-Hayford MA Scholarship, which is established to support and highlight young talent, black or mixed heritage as they embark on their journey into the industry of fashion.

“Joe Casely Hayford was one of the most talented and innovative designers of our time and catapulted London’s reputation as a hub of fashion and culture onto the world stage. He paved the way for generations of designers and the UK fashion industry owes him a lot for his unique vision, designs and unwavering support of new talent. We look forward to honoring him in December,” said BFC President Caroline Rush.

Joe Casely Hayford passed away in January 2019, aged 62. During his four-decade career, he revolutionized menswear by combining his formal Savile Row training with his own radical spirit, British Vogue said in a tribute to the fashion designer.

He created his own brand Casely-Hayford in London in 1984. Throughout his career, he created clothes for famous artists such as Lou Reed, as well as leading British politicians and was appointed creative director of Gieves & Hawkes.