THE FASHION AWARDS 2025: A Celebration of Innovation and Empowerment

The Fashion Awards 2025: A Celebration of Innovation and Empowerment

The Fashion Awards 2025, presented by Pandora, lit up London’s Royal Albert Hall on the 1 December, hosted by two-time BAFTA and Oscar-nominated actor, playwright and director Colman Domingo. This year’s ceremony celebrated the visionaries reshaping global fashion, philanthropy, emerging talent and transformative leadership. The Red Carpet was alive with fashion designers, creatives and fashionistas along with VIPs and A-listers from the world of film, sports and music.

15 Years of the BFC Fashion Trust

A Special Recognition Award marked the 15th anniversary of the BFC Fashion Trust, accepted by co-founder Tania Fares. Since its inception, the Trust has raised £6.8 million for BFC Foundation programmes. The award was presented by Camille Perry & Holly Wright (TOVE), David Koma, Emilia Wickstead, Nicholas Daley, Marco Capaldo, Roksanda Ilinčić and Supriya Lele.

Laura Weir, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council said,
“The work of the BFC Foundation is central to our mission… Celebrating 15 years of its impact is a significant milestone.”

Fares reflected on her journey,
“Growing up in Paris, I was surrounded by creativity… Supporting talent and helping build a more inclusive, global fashion community has been one of the great privileges of my life.”

Delphine Arnault Honoured for Global Leadership

Delphine Arnault, Chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture, received a Special Recognition Award for her industry-defining leadership and her creation of the LVMH Prize—one of fashion’s most influential platforms. The award was presented by Anna Wintour.

Arnault said,
“I am truly honoured to receive this emblematic award, which highlights the importance of supporting young talents.”

Weir added,
“Delphine Arnault is one of the most visionary and influential leaders in global fashion… Her belief in talent as the lifeblood of this industry has transformed countless careers.”

Isabella Blow Award: Rei Kawakubo, Adrian Joffe & Dickon Bowden

This year’s Isabella Blow Award celebrated the trio behind Dover Street Market—Rei Kawakubo, Adrian Joffe and Dickon Bowden—recognised for redefining the concept store and elevating experimental design. The award was presented by Craig Green, Gwendoline Christie and Simone Rocha. 

Weir praised their impact,
“Their commitment to innovation and support for emerging talent continue to influence the industry and challenge wider fashion discourse.”

25 Years of Fashion East and the Special Recognition Award

Lulu Kennedy and Raphaelle Moore received a Special Recognition Award marking 25 years of Fashion East, the renowned incubator that has launched some of Britain’s most influential designers—from JW Anderson to Nensi Dojaka. The award was presented by Camille Perry & Holly Wright (TOVE), David Koma, Emilia Wickstead, Nicholas Daley, Marco Capaldo, Roksanda Ilinčić and Supriya Lele.
The BFC Foundation announced it will double its support for Fashion East over the next three years, cementing the UK’s role as a global talent leader.

Weir noted,
“Fashion East is one of the most important incubators of creative talent globally… Our industry is a better place because of their unwavering commitment.”

Kennedy and Moore added,
“We’re proud to have created a unique space where designers have both the freedom to create fearlessly, and a family unit to uplift them.”

Kate Hawley Wins First-Ever Costume Designer Award

The inaugural Costume Designer Award, presented by Sandy Powell, honoured Kate Hawley for her exceptional work on Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. Trained at the Motley School, Hawley is celebrated for her narrative-driven costume work across film, theatre and opera.

Weir emphasised film’s crucial relationship to fashion,
“The Costume Design Award allows us to honour the storytellers… whose work shapes the way global audiences see culture and character.”

Chanel was honoured with a Special Recognition Award, presented by Amanda Harlech and celebrating 100 years in the UK.  This year, to mark their anniversary, the House worked with the V&A and English National Ballet, to bring their 100-year heritage to life. The V&A’s collection includes the original costumes that Gabrielle Chanel designed for Diagilev’s ballet – Le Train Bleu – and the giant stage cloth widely recognised as the largest Picasso in the world. Chanel supported the conservation of this iconic artwork, now on display at V&A East Storehouse, and commissioned English National Ballet to create a new choreographic version of the ballet. This new production, featuring costumes reinterpreted for the modern day, was performed during the awards ceremony.

Designer of the Year Award
Winner: Jonathan Anderson for DIOR and JW Anderson
Presented by: Sunday Rose Kidman-Urban

British Menswear Designer Award
Winner: Grace Wales Bonner for Wales Bonner accepted by Dave
Presented by: Dina Asher-Smith and Sienna Miller

British Womenswear Designer Award
Winner: Sarah Burton for Givenchy
Presented by: Cate Blanchett

Vanguard Award
Winner: Dilara Fındıkoğlu for Dilara Fındıkoğlu
Presented by: FKA Twigs and Ncuti Gatwa

Outstanding Achievement Award 
Winner: Brunello Cucinelli 
Presented by: Sharon Stone

Cultural Innovator Award
Winner: Little Simz
Presented by: Kano

Model of the Year Award
Winner: Anok Yai
Presented by: Alex Consani and Paloma Elsesser

The Pandora Style Moment of the Year Award
Winner: Sam Woolf
Presented by: Iman

Posthumous Outstanding Contribution to Fashion Award
Winner: Melanie Ward accepted by Corinne Smith 

Celia Imrie kicked off The Fashion Awards . “I’m here today to report an unprecedented heatwave across the continent… of hot British talent,” said British actor Celia Imrie in a video broadcast to open the Fashion Awards at London’s Albert Hall. The evening was highlighted with a powerful performance by Raye of her viral hit ‘Where is my husband!’ and ‘Cry Me a River’. Tems followed with the first ever live performance of her new single ‘Not Sure’ as well as a rendition of ‘Me and U’.

Founded in 2010, the BFC Fashion Trust continues to redefine how philanthropy empowers creativity, thanks to the dedication of Tania Fares and the BFC Foundation Patron Programme. This year’s awards underscored the power of mentorship, innovation and global community—cementing the UK’s role as a champion of emerging talent.

The British Fashion Council’s Principal Partner are Pandora and Official Partners – eBay and The Peninsula London.
TFA credits: Aluminium textile soft wall designed by Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen for molo, ANCC, Bacardi, Bloom London Dry Gin, Botivo, Charlotte Stockdale, Double Dutch, Entsec, Exmoor Caviar, Getty Images, Gold Dust, Grey Goose, Harrods, Herradura Tequila, INCA, Katie Lyall, Launchmetrics, Le Labo, McQueens, NARS, Nibbs Events, Picasso’s  ‘Train bleu’ front cloth, 1924, Paul Edmonds London, Penfolds, PURPLE PR, Rhubarb, Royal Albert Hall, Select, Stufish, Ty-Nant and Unsigned.

By Kim Grahame
Photos courtesy of BFC