The famous architect Zaha Hadid was recently named Business Woman of the Year at the Veuve Clicquot awards in London. It is an important prize for the Iraqi-born architect who launched this month at Milan Design Week her new creation: the Serac Bench.
Zaha Hadid has become one of the most influential architects in the world, designing buildings such as the MAXXI museum in Rome and the Guangzhou Opera House in China, as well as the London aquatics centre, the Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton, the Riverside Museum in Glasgow and the Maggie’s Centre in Kirkcaldy.
The Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award was created in 1972 as a tribute to Madame Clicquot and champions the business woman worldwide who share the same qualities as Madame Clicquot, her enterprising spirit, her courage and the determination necessary to accomplish her aims.
The Award is the first international prize created specifically to recognize the contribution that women have made to business life and is now regarded as the “Oscar” for female entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Hadid said: “It’s hard to believe, but it’s still difficult for women to break the business barrier. Through perseverance and hard work, I’ve been able to do so, but it’s been a long struggle. When I started my career in architecture it was very much a male-dominated industry, but in recent years I’ve seen a growing number of talented female architects join the profession and succeed.”
Last year Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award winner was the English fashion designer Anya Hindmarch.
