KULTURE2COUTURE
2006 Trailblazer Award

Introduction

Ther great educator Booker T. Washington once said, "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he or she has overcome whilst trying to succeed." This year we honour a trailblazer, who has forged a path less taken in fashion, whilst overcoming challenges in her personal life. Trailblazers set expectations based on opportunities and not limitations. They have the power to transform others, organisations and society, creating positive legacies for future generations.

Fay Fullerton

For nearly 30 years, Fay Fullerton has been bringing drama to fashion and taking it centerstage. As Head of Production Costume at the Royal Opera House, Fullerton has blazed a path in an industry where few back people ventured. Fullerton received her formal training by studying period costume and tailoring at the London College of Fashion. She went straight from college to a position as a Junior Costumier at the Royal Opera House. She ascended the ranks to the role of Head Cutter

Now she supervises a team of specialist freelancers, designers and other staff, who are responsible for designing and creating up to 430 new costumes for just one of the many productions performed by the Royal Opera House and Royal Ballet each season.

Battling childhood polio and being a black woman in a primarily white profession has only mader her worker harder to accomplish her goals. What lessons can other learn from her amazing career? Do not be afraid to go where few desingers have gone before and always dream outside of the box.

For more than 200 years, the world's most skilful tailors have been drawn to Savile Row,

Kulture2Couture pays tribute to a royal designer, our 2007 Trailblazer, Fay Fullerton.