Photo: REX USA/David Fisher/Rex.
It's been a good week for women and their British titles of distinction. The House of Lords is currently taking up a bill that would, for the first time, extend hereditary titles to daughters of the aristocracy. On top of that, two fashion luminaries have been recognized by Queen Elizabeth II as part of her New Year honors list.
Céline creative director Phoebe Philo, despite heading up a French fashion house, was awarded the title of OBE, or Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. (Her British parentage was enough to qualify her, even though she was born in Paris.) Meanwhile, makeup artist Pat McGrath was given the tile of MBE, or Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, thanks to her work in fashion and beauty.
This year is also notable because it's the first time since the Order of the British Empire was founded in 1917 that more women than men have been given New Year honors. For 2014, 610 women are included in the list, making up 51% of the total. The highest percentage of female recipients in years past was 47% in 2013.
Congratulations to all the women and men named to this year's list, because OBE titles require a certifiable contribution to society. As for those with titles of nobility, well, congrats on being historically rich. (Fashionista)