Sure, everyone’s loved oohing and ahhing over the weekend’s fireworks, but we bet Mary Katrantzou had a better reason to celebrate this weekend than most – she’s been named the winner of this year’s Swiss Textiles Award.

The London-based designer collected her award from Alexander Wang – last year’s winner – in an award ceremony in Zurich, where she beat off stiff competition from the likes of First Lady favourite Jason Wu, Juun J and Damir Doma to secure this year’s prize.

“I’m stunned. It was such a big build up and I cried backstage so I think that says it all,” Katrantzou told Vogue UK. “The financial support is amazing at a stage when the business is growing and it’s so important to have that support. It’s a very prestigious award, it’s a benchmark and a great honour,”

So, now that she’s €100,000 in prize money the richer, what’s the Greek-born designer got in store for her next collection?

“It’s a progression of this one, it’s not as thematic and it’s darker than this season,” she said. “The thing is if I say too much then it will give it away.”

No doubt it’ll be just as talked about as her last. Congratulations, Mary!

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Alexander Wang has been named winner of the 2009 Swiss Textiles Award.

Famous for his effortless designs, the American designer scooped the award at last night’s award ceremony in Zurich, earning himself €100,000 worth of financial backing to go towards international development.

“I’m so happy and surprised, Alexander , who recently made an appearance in London’s Selfridges to launch his new collection , told Vogue UK. “It’s a family business , we don’t have any external backers , and this will really help us take the business to the next level.

The man of the moment , who was welcomed into the CDFA earlier in the year , blushed that this award will hold special place in his heart.

“Obviously winning the CDFA/Vogue Award was amazing, but that award has been set up to support young American designers. To win this in Europe, against amazing European designers but also against designers like Thakoon and Onhe Titel who I have grown up beside, feels really special.

We couldn’t be more pleased for the young designer , everyone wants a piece of that off-duty model look he does so well.

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