The big night of fashion in London returns on Dec. 4. The Fashion Awards 2023 will "amplify the leaders of change, celebrate excellence in creativity and support the next generation of creative talent," according to the British Fashion Council, which will once again roll out the red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall for the world's leading tastemakers to serve up some truly important looks.
While details of the guest list will be revealed later today, the BFC has provided some details to whet our appetites. The shortlist for the Model of the Year award is the most diverse ever: Alton Mason, Anok Yai, Kai-Isaiah Jamal, Liu Wen, Mona Tougaard and Paloma Elsesser are all in the running for the prestigious award. Meanwhile, nominees for Designer of the Year are Daniel Lee for Burberry, Jonathan Anderson for JW Anderson and Loewe, Matthieu Blazy for Bottega Veneta, Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons for Prada, and Sarah Burton for her work at Alexander McQueen.
For the first time, the BFC will recognize emerging designers in the men's and women's categories with the New Establishment Award. Nominees for the menswear award include Bianca Saunders and Saul Nash, while Chopova Lowena, Supriya Lele, and Dilara Findikoglu were recognized in the womenswear category.
The winners will be revealed on December 4 at the Royal Albert Hall, but some awards have already been announced before the event. It was revealed that Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue and European editorial director, will be honored with the Trailblazer Award, which celebrates the industry's creatives and innovators. Previous winners include designers Alessandro Michele, Kim Jones, and Sarah Burton. Caroline Rush, managing director of the BFC, said, "Enninful, who strenuously champions diversity and inclusion in everything she does, has shaped a new vision for fashion media through her tenure as editor-in-chief of British Vogue, not just in the UK but globally."
Valentino Garavani will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award for his colossal impact on the industry through his eponymous Valentino brand, Charlotte Tilbury will receive the Special Recognition Award, and the late Joe Casely-Hayford was honored with a posthumous Special Recognition Award.
Amid all the glitz and glamour, it is worth mentioning that the Fashion Awards also aim to raise funds for the BFC Foundation, which supports designers at all levels of their careers through the pillars of talent, education, grants and business mentoring. Last year, the Fashion Awards raised more than £1.3 million, which was distributed to the industry's most promising talent-a valuable sum considering that many rising stars are struggling with Britain's precarious financial situation.
As rumors begin to circulate about who will wear what and which brands will step up and take charge of the after-party, here are the nominees for the top honors at The Fashion Awards 2023 and buy your tickets here.
Designer of the Year
Daniel Lee for Burberry
Jonathan Anderson for JW Anderson and Loewe
Matthieu Blazy for Bottega Veneta
Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons for Prada
Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
Model of the Year
Alton Mason
Anok Yai
Kai-Isaiah Jamal
Liu Wen
Mona Tougaard
Paloma Elsesser
British menswear designer
Grace Wales Bonner
Kiko Kostadinov
Kim Jones
Martine Rose
Seven Stokey Daley
British womenswear designer
Erdem
Maximilian Davis for Ferragamo
Nensi Dojaka
Roksanda
Simone Rocha
Men's New Stabilization Award
Bianca Saunders
Corteiz
Labrum
Nicolas Daley
Saul Nash
Women's New Stabilization Award
Chopova Lowena
Dilara Findikoglu
KNWLS
Robert Wun
Supriya Lele
Special award for promoting the talent of young designers
Sarah Mower
Outstanding Achievement Award
Valentino Garavani
Special Posthumous Recognition Award
Joe Casely-Hayford
Special Recognition Award
Charlotte Tilbury
Trailblazer Award
Edward Enninful
October 19, 2023