‘The Fashion Awards 2024 ‘ ( TFA ) presented by Pandora was a spectacular event which celebrated the creative fashion industry in the Royal Albert Hall, London. Previously known as ‘The British Fashion Awards’ , this award ceremony is a major highlight in the fashion calendar and is a fundraiser for up and coming talent in the industry.
The evening, co- hosted by British broadcaster Maya Jama and musical artist Kojey Radical celebrated 16 awards. An international panel of judges consisting of industry experts voted on the TFA nominees and winners.
Honorees this year include A$AP Rocky as Cultural Innovator. John Galliano, Rick Owens, Jonathan Anderson, Miuccia Prada, Chemena Kamali and Pieter Mulier were nominated for the Designer of the Year category. The winner of the Designer of the Year Award was Jonathan Anderson for the second year running with Tom Ford being honored with the Outstanding Achievement Award. The Model of the Year Award went to trans woman Alex Consani and I am delighted to see that my friend Stephen Jones for Stephen Jones won the British Accessories Brand Award which is very well deserved. @stephenjonesmillinery and I go back to Saint Martins days where we were both students. Stephen is very talented and has always been influential in the fashion industry. A prolific designer Stephen has worked with Dior, Galliano and Vivienne Westwood.
The Fashion Awards are innovative and ever evolving. There were many outfits in monochrome with pops of colour as well as stand out trains and mullet dresses. Exquisite luxury fabrics were beautifully embellished on some of the red carpet gowns while lavish jewellery complemented the looks.
The Fashion Awards are not just about flamboyant and expensive designs, but also about stand out creativity with value as in some of the repurposed designs on show on the red carpet. Rita Ora embodied this spirit by channeling David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust inspired look with her bleached hair and brows. Her ’80s androgynous look has strong finishing touches with chunky silver jewellery from her latest collaboration with Primark.
Ora showed her daring stand out style on the red carpet, as did the singer Ellie Goulding who channelled Hans Christian Andersen’s Snow Queen in a Moncler Genius AW24 heart-necked puffer coat gown. Moncler’s CEO Remo Ruffini is being honoured with the Trailblazer Award.
After their success last year presenters Maya Jama, host of Love Island, and musician Kojey Radical, returned to co-host this years awards. Maya Jama wore a gown by Conner Ives and Kojey wore a Etro floral embroidered long leather jacket over a brown suit. Rihanna and her partner A$AP Rocky attended with Rihanna sporting a Christian Lacroix outfit from the 2002 couture collection. A$AP Rocky wore a navy blue suit. Amongst others on the red carpet were Anna Wintour with Baz Luhrmann and Stella McCartney. There were many celebrities in attendance including Alexa Chung in a long-line faux fur coat with a Miu Miu black glittering midi dress and actor and singer Halle Bailey, wearing a strapless white gown with bold pearls and pearlescent embellishments flowing from under an elongated peplum top.
This year’s event set the vibe with a DJ set by Emmanuel Lawal and Ashton Gohil of AUDIOCOMUNGSOON as guests arrived. The ceremony kicked off in style with Chloe and Halle Bailey delivering an exclusive performance of ‘To Love Somebody’ by The Bee Gees in a bespoke Dilara Findikoglu. Fashion icon Law Roach then reflected on the major fashion moments from the year. There were also performances by Wizkid with a surprise performance by Blondie. The celebrations continued with a DJ set from Rachel Anson at the afterparty.
THE FASHION AWARDS 2024
Designer of the Year Award
Recognises a British or international designer whose innovative collections have made a notable impact on the industry, defining the landscape of global fashion.
Winner: Jonathan Anderson for JW Anderson and Loewe
Presented by: Jamie Dornan
_________________________________________________________________
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: Alex Consani
Presented by: Ashley Graham and Nava Mau
_________________________________________________________________
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: Grace Wales Bonner for Wales Bonner
Presented by: Ian Wright
________________________________________________________________
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: Simone Rocha for Simone Rocha
Presented by: Kelly Rutherford and Nicola Coughlan
_________________________________________________________________
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: Tom Ford
Presented by: Anna Wintour
_________________________________________________________________
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: A$AP Rocky
Presented by: Michèle Lamy
_________________________________________________________________
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: Issa Rae
Presented by: Yvonne Orji
_________________________________________________________________
Trailblazer Award
Celebrates the very best innovators and creatives in fashion, whose work in the past year has significantly shaped the industry.
Winner: Remo Ruffini
Presented by: Maria Sharapova
_________________________________________________________________
Special Recognition Award
Honours outstanding contribution to the fashion industry.
Winner: Nan Goldin and GUCCI
Presented by: Chioma Nnadi
_________________________________________________________________
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: Tyler Mitchell
Presented by: Anok Yai and Mona Tougaard
_________________________________________________________________
British Accessories Designer
Recognises the very best innovators and creatives in fashion, celebrating invaluable contributions that have changed the entire fashion landscape.
Winner: Stephen Jones
Presented by: Ambika Mod
_________________________________________________________________
BFC Foundation Designer Award
Recognises a BFC Foundation initiative designer who has had a major impact on global fashion over the past year.
Winner: Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena for Chopova Lowena
Presented by: Joe Jonas and Olivia Dean
_________________________________________________________________
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: Marco Capaldo for 16Arlington
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: Priya Ahluwalia for Ahluwalia
Presented by: Tems and Wretch 32
_________________________________________________________________
Special Recognition Award
Honours outstanding contribution to the fashion industry
Winner: Dame Margaret Barbour
Presented by: Alexa Chung
_________________________________________________________________
Special Recognition Award
Honours outstanding contribution to the fashion industry.
Winner: Sophia Neophitou-Apostolou
Presented by: AJ Odudu, Edward Enninful and Jourdan Dunn
_________________________________________________________________
As well as recognising designers and industry leaders, TFA celebrated this year’s NEW WAVE: Creatives cohort through a special film created by Matte Projects. The accolade represents 50 of the most innovative and inspiring young creative talents from around the world spanning continents and creative disciplines. The award pays homage to the incredible success of both home-grown and international talent; while celebrating all those who play a vital role in the industry’s cultural and creative reputation.
Each winner received a unique trophy designed by interdisciplinary artist and 2023 NEW WAVE: Creative, Jade Adeyemi in collaboration with Pandora and bespoke award design company Creative Awards.
by Kim Grahame
Main photo Rihanna & A$AP Rocky / Ian West
