THE FASHION AWARDS 2023 WINNERS AND STUNNING CELEBRITY RED CARPET ARRIVALS

The Fashion Awards 2023 (TFA) presented by Pandora and organised by the British Fashion Council event is the primary fundraiser for the BFC Foundation Charity and celebrates the role of fashion at the intersection of culture and entertainment, spotlighting creative talent and telling the stories of the year in fashion through the lens of purpose, excellence, and creativity.

On the 4th December the TFA was again held at The Royal Albert Hall and was hosted by British broadcaster Maya Jama and musical artist Kojey Radical. There were a celebration of 16 awards and the TFA nominees and winners are voted for by an international judging panel made up of over 1000 industry experts.

The awards ceremony kicked off in style, with global superstar Usher welcoming the audience of leading designers, artists, creatives, and tastemakers for a night celebrating the global fashion community. The evening started with METTE’s Pandora performance, followed with a performance from Cultural Innovator Award winner Sam Smith and ended with a DJ set by Skepta at the afterparty.

In recognition of his ‘Outstanding Contribution’ to the fashion industry Valentino Garavani, the ninety one year old Italian fashion designer and founder of the Valentino brand and company was honoured with a special tribute. This was celebrated with a fashion show of 24 of the most iconic red dresses to a backdrop of: ‘An evening at the opera with Valentino’, the ballet which was filmed last month in his hometown, at the city of Voghera, which dedicated its theatre to him. The music by Micka Luna and the ballet was conceived and directed by Eleonora Abbagnato in collaboration with Daniele Cipriani. Gwyneth Paltrow presented the award to his long-time friend Mr Giammetti.

The British fashion industry paid tribute to Dame Vivienne Westwood and her fearless approach to design and activism and recognised Joe Casely-Hayford with a posthumous Special Recognition Award for his incredible contributions to fashion and culture.

TFA also celebrated this year’s NEW WAVE: Creatives cohort. This accolade represented 50 of the most innovative and inspiring young creative talents from around the world spanning continents and creative disciplines. Each winner received a unique trophy designed by stylist, art director and 2022 NEW WAVE Creative Julie Liu in collaboration with British glass production company World of Glass.

Designer of the Year Award
Recognises a British or international designer whose innovative collections have made a notable impact on the industry, defining the shape of global fashion.
Winner: Jonathan Anderson for JW Anderson and LOEWE
Presented by: Josh O’Connor

British Womenswear Designer Award
Recognises a leading British womenswear designer who has consistently made a global impact with their innovative and creative designs, shaping the burgeoning international womenswear landscape.
Winner: Maximilian Davis for Ferragamo
Presented by: Chioma Nnadi

British Menswear Designer Award
Recognises a leading British menswear designer who has consistently made a global impact with their innovative and creative designs, shaping the burgeoning international menswear landscape.
Winner: Martine Rose for Martine Rose
Presented by: Little Simz

BFC Foundation Designer Award
Recognises a BFC Foundation initiative designer who has had a major impact on global fashion over the past year.
Winner: Conner Ives
Presented by: Dan Levy

New Establishment Womenswear Award
Recognises a womenswear designer who has created a new movement in British fashion and has had a sustained impact on the industry globally.
Winner: Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena for Chopova Lowena
Presented by: Simone Ashley

New Establishment Menswear Award
Recognises a menswear designer who has created a new movement in British fashion and has had a sustained impact on the industry globally.
Winner: Bianca Saunders
Presented by: Precious Lee

Outstanding Achievement Award
Celebrates the creative contribution of an individual to the fashion industry, who throughout their illustrious career has constantly shaped and reshaped the fashion world through their innovation and creativity.
Winner: Valentino Garavani
Presented by: Gwyneth Paltrow
Accepted by: Mr Giammetti

Model of the Year Award
Recognises the global impact of a model who, over the last 12 months, has dominated the industry, with an influence that transcends the catwalk.
Winner: Paloma Elsesser
Presented by: Damson Idris

Special Recognition Award for Special Recognition Award for Contribution to the Fashion Industry
Honours outstanding contribution to the fashion industry.
Winner: Charlotte Tilbury
Presented by: Amal Clooney

Special Recognition Award for Championing Young Designer Talent
Honours outstanding contribution to the fashion industry and securing the pipeline of London’s fashion talent.
Winner: Sarah Mower
Presented by: Gwendoline Christie

Special Recognition Award
Honours outstanding contribution to the fashion industry.
Winner: Sarah Burton
Presented by: Edward Enninful

Posthumous Special Recognition Award
Recognises outstanding contribution to culture and the fashion industry.
Winner: Joe Casely-Hayford
Presented by: Paapa Essiedu
Accepted by: Charlie Casely-Hayford

Cultural Innovator Award
Celebrates a leading innovator and imagemaker in the entertainment industry, who over the course of the year, has created viral fashion moments which have had a profound impact on the fashion industry and wider culture.
Winner: Sam Smith
Presented by: Lena Dunham

Trailblazer Award
Celebrates the very best innovators and creatives in fashion, whose work in the past year has significantly shaped the industry.
Winner: Edward Enninful
Presented by: Jodie Comer & Stormzy

The Pandora Leader of Change Award
Celebrates a person who leads with innovation to create positive change globally. They consistently challenge the status quo. Their work is empowering, progressive and forward-thinking. They use their platform positively shifting perceptions as a result of their deep commitment to moving the dial when it comes to authentic representation.
Winner: Michaela Coel
Presented by: Pamela Anderson

Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator
Recognises the very best innovators and creatives in fashion, celebrating invaluable contributions that have changed the entire fashion landscape.
Winner: Campbell Addy
Presented by: Ib Kamara

The British Fashion Awards is the primary fundraiser for the British Fashion Council helping to insure the future growth and success of the British fashion industry by focusing on education, grant-giving, and business mentoring.

We acknowledge the support for The Fashion Awards 2023 presented by Pandora alongside the Official Partners: Don Julio, Getty Images, Moët & Chandon, Royal Salute, smartwater and The Peninsula London.

by Kim Grahame

Photos BFC