The Fashion Awards

Summary

The Fashion Awards are awards for British and international individuals and businesses who have accomplished outstanding contributions to the fashion industry during the year. The ceremony is held annually in December in the United Kingdom and has been taking place ever since its inception in 1989. The Royal Albert Hall in London is the most common venue where the Fashion Awards have been held.

The Fashion Awards are a fundraiser for the British Fashion Council charities and focus on celebrating excellence in the fashion industry and supporting the future pipeline of creative talent. The BFC is a not-for-profit organisation, whose aim is to support sustainable growth for the sector, with wide ranging activities which include charitable initiatives that support educational programmes and scholarships through to financial and mentoring awards for emerging talent.

Notable Events

The first Fashion Awards ceremony ever took place on 17 October 1989 and was attended by Princess Diana, who wore a Catherine Walker gown especially for the occasion. It was originally named the British Fashion Awards.

In 2010 four-time winner of British Designer of the Year award, Lee Alexander McQueen received the posthumous award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design in recognition for his extraordinary career.

In 2007 the Fashion Creator Award is renamed Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator in honour of Isabella Blow, who died on 7 May 2007. Blow was renowned for her unerring support of British designers and for her contribution to the international fashion industry as a whole.

In 2016, the British Fashion Awards was rebranded as The Fashion Awards.

Categories

The Fashion Awards include the following award categories:

Designer of the Year – Recognises an international designer whose innovative collections have made a notable impact on the industry, defining the shape of global fashion.

Accessories Designer of the Year – Celebrates a designer that has proven instrumental in elevating accessories to the forefront of the fashion industry, demonstrating a skill for both creativity and commerce, and establishing their brand as a global fashion leader.

Business Leader – This award recognises the work of a CEO or President of a fashion business who has overseen both creative and commercial success in the past year. With a natural aptitude to nurture both creative talent and commercial growth, the “Business Leader” enables creative freedom alongside financial stability, which in turn generates innovation and excitement within the industry and beyond.

Urban Luxe Award – Celebrating the innovation and influence of a contemporary apparel brand, the recipient of this award has redefined the way “sportswear” is perceived across the globe, elevating “casual” to high end and directional fashion.

British Emerging Talent – Womenswear – It recognises new British womenswear talent, this award celebrates a British-based womenswear or accessories designer who over the last 12 months has had a major creative impact on global fashion.

British Emerging Talent – Menswear – Celebrating emerging talent in British menswear, this award recognises the innovation and creative influence from a British-based menswear or accessories designer, whose collections have gained international attention this year.

British Designer of the Year – Womenswear – Celebrating a British womenswear designer that has been instrumental in innovating and leading women’s fashion over the last year – excelling both creatively and commercially, creating an impressive footprint on the global fashion stage.

British Designer of the Year – Menswear – 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.

Model of the Year – Recognises the global impact of a model, male or female, who over the last 12 months has dominated the industry. With an influence that transcends the catwalk, the Model of The Year has made an outstanding contribution to the industry, garnering numerous editorial and advertising campaigns throughout the year.

Outstanding achievement – The Outstanding Achievement Award celebrates the overwhelming 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. Their influence has reached far beyond the industry, influencing the way the general public perceive and consume fashion. This timeless visionary remains an inspiration to both peers and protégés alike.

Swarovski Award for Positive Change – The Swarovski Award for Positive Change recognises and celebrates brands or individuals who promote the welfare of others and generously use their resources to benefit good causes.

Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator – Recognising the very best innovators and creatives in fashion, this award celebrates invaluable contributions that have changed the entire fashion landscape. With a discerning eye and incessant drive, this creative has brought designers’ creations to life and helped create worlds within brands. Their dedication to the craft has garnered legions of fans and the incredible body of work has already left an indelible mark on the entire industry and garnered legions of fans.

Notable Winners

Raf Simons for Calvin Klein – Designer of the Year 2017

Craig Green for Craig Green – British Menswear Designer of the Year 2016, 2017 and 2018 and Emerging Menswear Designer 2014

Alexander McQueen – Designer of the Year 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003; Rover People’s Award 2000; Menswear Designer 2004; BFC Outstanding Achievement in Fashion 2010; Red Carpet Designer 2014

Marco Bizzarri for Gucci – Business Leader 2016, 2017 and 2018

Stella McCartney – Glamour Designer 2000; New Generation Designer 2001; Designer of the Year 2007, 2012; Red Carpet Award 2011; Designer Brand 2012; Brand 2015; Special Recognition Award for Innovation 2017

Alexa Chung – British Style 2010, 2011, 2012

J.W. Anderson – Emerging Talent Award – Ready-To-Wear 2012; New Establishment Designer of The Year 2013; Menswear Designer of The Year 2014, 2015; Womenswear Designer of The Year 2015

Phoebe Philo – Designer of the Year 2004, 2010

Hussein Chalayan – Designer of the Year 1999, 2000

John Galliano – Designer of the Year 1987, 1994, 1995, 1997, BFC Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design 2009

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fashion_Awards

https://fashionawards.com/About

https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/alexander-mcqueen-outstanding-achievement-british-fashion-award

https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/british-fashion-awards-retrospective-gallery-history-in-pictures

https://www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk/About/History