British Fashion Council Reveals The Winners Of The Fashion Awards 2025 Presented By Pandora
THE FASHION AWARDS 2025, DRINKS RECEPTION, (LILY CRAIGEN, BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL)
By PAGE Editor
The British Fashion Council (BFC) unveiled the winners of The Fashion Awards 2025 presented by Pandora, marking a defining night for global fashion and a powerful reminder of the industry’s cultural impact. As the BFC’s flagship annual fundraiser, the ceremony fuels the BFC Foundation’s commitment to supporting emerging designers through scholarships, mentoring, and creative-development initiatives. This year’s edition amplified the influence of fashion’s brightest talents while celebrating boundary-pushing visionaries who continue to reshape the industry.
The evening was hosted by acclaimed actor, playwright, and director Colman Domingo, whose two BAFTA and Oscar nominations reflect the gravitas he brought to the Royal Albert Hall stage. Joining him, legendary actress Celia Imrie welcomed an audience packed with designers, artists, and cultural leaders. Her presence framed the night through the lens of British creativity, introducing a lineup of honorees and presenters that reflected the full spectrum of the fashion ecosystem.
Music set a striking tone throughout the ceremony. Raye delivered a show-stopping performance of her viral hit “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” before launching into an emotionally charged rendition of “Cry Me a River.” Tems followed with her first-ever live performance of “Not Sure,” alongside a soulful reimagining of “Me & U,” deepening the ceremony’s sense of artistic exchange. Their performances emphasized fashion’s longstanding dialogue with music—an interplay essential to contemporary culture.
A major highlight of the evening was Chanel’s Special Recognition Award honoring its 100-year legacy in the United Kingdom. To mark this milestone, the house collaborated with the V&A and English National Ballet to revive and reinterpret its historical contributions. The V&A’s archives preserve the original costumes Gabrielle Chanel designed for Diaghilev’s ballet Le Train Bleu, along with the iconic Picasso-painted stage cloth, the largest work created by the artist. Chanel funded an extensive conservation of the monumental piece, now exhibited at the V&A East Storehouse, and commissioned a new choreographic interpretation of the ballet. This modern re-staging—with costumes redesigned through the lens of contemporary Chanel—was performed during the ceremony, creating one of the evening’s most memorable artistic moments.
Adding to the milestone announcements, Delphine Arnault used her acceptance of the Special Recognition Award to reveal that DIOR will meaningfully expand its investment in the BFC Foundation. The brand will now offer a new annual MA Womenswear Scholarship—joining the existing MA Menswear Scholarship—and increase its support from biennial funding to two annual scholarships, reinforcing DIOR’s long-term commitment to nurturing British design talent.
Celebrations continued deep into the night, culminating in an afterparty energized by a DJ set from Donnie Sunshine. The atmosphere echoed the ceremony’s themes of community, creativity, and the power of collective support.
This year’s trophy served as a symbolic extension of that narrative. Designed by botanical set artist and former BFC NEW WAVE: Creative honoree Alexander Young, the piece featured a resin structure mounted on a base crafted from Pandora’s 100% recycled silver. The design—resembling a flower caught mid-bloom—aligned aesthetically and philosophically with PANDORA ESSENCE, the brand’s new sculptural, nature-inspired jewelry collection. The winner’s portraits, captured by photographer Niall Hodson, further documented the night’s modern visual identity.
The 2025 winners represented a varied and influential group of creators shaping fashion today. Jonathan Anderson took home Designer of the Year for his work at DIOR and JW Anderson, while Grace Wales Bonner won the British Menswear Designer Award, accepted on her behalf by musician Dave. Sarah Burton received the British Womenswear Designer Award for her refined evolution at Givenchy. The Vanguard Award went to Dilara Fındıkoğlu, celebrating her subversive, uncompromising approach to fashion. Brunello Cucinelli earned the Outstanding Achievement Award, honoring his decades-long impact on Italian craftsmanship and global menswear.
Model of the Year was awarded to Anok Yai, whose influence extends far beyond traditional modeling, while Little Simz was recognized with the Cultural Innovator Award, underscoring her role at the intersection of style, identity, and storytelling. Costume designer Kate Hawley received Costume Designer of the Year, and the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator went jointly to Rei Kawakubo, Adrian Joffe, and Dickon Bowden—each of whom has played a pivotal role in shaping the visual vocabulary of contemporary fashion.
Additional honors spotlighted essential contributors to the industry’s ecosystem. Sam Woolf received The Pandora Style Moment of the Year Award, while a posthumous Outstanding Contribution to Fashion Award was granted to Melanie Ward, accepted by Corinne Smith. Lulu Kennedy and Raphaelle Moore were recognized for 25 years of Fashion East, and Tania Fares accepted a Special Recognition Award on behalf of the BFC Fashion Trust for its 15-year legacy of supporting designers. Amanda Harlech presented Chanel with its Special Recognition Award for 100 years in the UK, and Anna Wintour honored Delphine Arnault with her own Special Recognition Award.
The British Fashion Council extended gratitude to its Principal Partner Pandora and to all partners, including eBay and The Peninsula London, whose support ensures that The Fashion Awards remain a vital engine for the British fashion industry. The production was brought to life through contributions from collaborators across hospitality, design, beauty, and performance, reflecting the deeply interconnected nature of the fashion world.
Founded in 1983, the British Fashion Council continues to champion British fashion on the global stage, driving innovation, responsible growth, and cultural impact. Through London Fashion Week, The Fashion Awards, and the Institute of Positive Fashion, the BFC fosters an ecosystem committed to creativity, sustainability, and the future of the industry. Its charitable arm, the BFC Foundation, provides crucial scholarships, mentoring, and funding opportunities to emerging designers, ensuring that the next generation has access to the support they need to thrive. The Fashion Awards serve as the foundation’s primary fundraiser, reinforcing the event’s importance not just as a celebration—but as a catalyst for the continued evolution of British fashion.
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