The Fashion Awards: Jonathan Anderson triumphant for third successive year

On Monday night at the Royal Albert Hall in London_ Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson scooped the coveted Designer of the Year accolade for the third consecutive year at The Fashion Awards 2025.

The annual awards from the British Fashion Council_ which act as the annual fundraising event for the BFC Foundation to support fashion talent through scholarships and other initiatives_ celebrated 15 awards_ with home talents including Sarah Burton and Grace Wales Bonner winning awards_ alongside Dilara Fındıkoğlu_ Brunello Cucinelli_ Chanel_ Delphine Arnault_ and British rapper and actress Little Simz.

Anderson was once again the winner of the Designer of the Year award_ this time for his successful relaunch of his signature label JW Anderson_ which he has turned into a lifestyle brand centred around “objects of elevated craftsmanship_” as well as his debut as the artistic director of both menswear and womenswear at luxury fashion house Dior_ where he received a standing ovation for his spring/summer 2026 womenswear collection during Paris Fashion Week in October.

For the accolade_ he beat off tough competition from Glenn Martens for Diesel and Maison Margiela_ Martine Rose_ Miuccia Prada for Miu Miu_ Rick Owens and Willy Chavarria_ who were nominated for producing “innovative collections” that have made “a notable impact on the industry_ defining the shape of global fashion”.

There was also further success for Dior as chief executive officer Delphine Arnault was presented with a Special Recognition Award for her “outdtanding contribution” to the global fashion industry_ after the BFC announced that Dior will be increasing its investment in the BFC Foundation Scholarships Programme by introducing a new annual MA Womenswear Scholarship_ to sit alongside the existing MA Menswear Scholarship. In addition_ Dior has also committed to expanding its support from biennial funding to two annual scholarships.

The Fashion Awards name 2025 winners

Luxury conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton was also celebrating success for its Givenchy fashion house_ as creative director Sarah Burton won the British Womenswear Designer Award ahead of tough competition from Simone Rocha_ Charlotte Knowles and Alexandre Arsenault for Knwls_ Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena for Chopova Lowena_ and Erdem Moralıoğlu for Erdem.

Burton_ who was the longtime designer at Alexander McQueen_ joined Givenchy in 2024 and made her debut for the fashion house in March with a critically acclaimed autumn/winter 2025 collection.

For the British Menswear Designer Award_ Grace Wales Bonner for Wales Bonner scooped the award for the second year. The success for the Central Saint Martins graduate_ who launched her eponymous label in 2014_ follows her appointment as Hermès' new menswear creative director in October_ succeeding Véronique Nichanian_ who is leaving after a 37-year tenure at the house.

There was also success for Turkish-born designer Dilara Fındıkoğlu_ who won the Vanguard Award_ which recognises a designer “at the forefront of a new wave in British fashion_” while Anok Yai took home the Model of the Year Award_ and British rapper and actress Little Simz was named Cultural Innovator.

Chanel wins special recognition award at The Fashion Awards

The night also presented a Special Recognition Award to Chanel_ celebrating the French fashion house_s 100 years in the UK_ with the BFC noting the label_s work with the V&A and English National Ballet to mark their anniversary in the country. 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 also 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.

There were also a host of Fashion Awards winners that were revealed earlier this year_ including Brunello Cucinelli_ who received an Outstanding Achievement Award for his “exceptional contribution to the world of fashion”. He follows in the footsteps of previous recipients_ including Karl Lagerfeld_ Ralph Lauren_ Miuccia Prada_ Giorgio Armani_ Tommy Hilfiger_ Yvon Chouinard_ Valentino Garavani_ and Tom Ford.

Commenting on the honour_ Cucinelli said in a statement: "I am deeply honoured to be presented with this 'global Oscar of fashion' from the British Fashion Council. Receiving it directly from the hands of a global movie icon like Sharon Stone makes it all the more meaningful. I like to think of it as a recognition not only of the creative work of our fashion house but also of the dedication and industrious spirit of all the “thinking souls” who are our valued collaborators.

“I believe_ a part of Italy itself is being celebrated – its creative genius_ its love of beauty_ and its unwavering commitment to excellence. I am profoundly grateful for such recognition. To the esteemed David Pemsel and Laura Weir_ Chair and CEO of the British Fashion Council_ and to all those who nurture this precious work of beauty_ I extend my sincerest thanks. I wish to dedicate this prestigious award to all young people_ whom I view as the sentinels of humanity and the guardians of our future: do not be afraid to pursue your dreams_ replace fear with hope_ and allow yourselves to be inspired by the stars. I am certain that the heavens will guide your path."

Other awards included the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator presented to Rei Kawakubo_ Adrian Joffe and Dickon Bowden recognising their “incredible contribution to the global fashion industry” for their work at retailer Dover Street Market_ while Tania Fares_ Fashion Trust Arabia co-chair_ and co-chair of the BFC Foundation Fundraising Committee collected a Special Recognition Award for 15 years of the BFC Fashion Trust_ and Kate Hawley won the debut Costume Designer of the Year accolade in recognition of her “exceptional costume design” for Guillermo del Toro_s _Frankenstein__ emphasising the craftsmanship_ creativity_ and fashion artistry that bring cinematic storytelling to life.

Lulu Kennedy and Raphaelle Moore also received a Special Recognition Award for 25 years of talent incubator Fashion East_ which has launched the careers of some of the UK_s brightest fashion talent_ including Simone Rocha_ Maximilian Davis_ Nensi Dojaka_ Martine Rose_ Liam Hodges_ Wales Bonner_ Charles Jeffrey Loverboy_ Craig Green_ Per Gotesson_ Ashley Williams_ Marques Almedia_ Matty Bovan_ Mowalola_ Asai_ Knwls_ Stefan Cooke_ Supriya Lele_ and Chet Lo.

Australian-born celebrity stylist Sam Woolf was also honoured with the Pandora Style Moment of the Year Award_ a category designed to reflect the rising visibility and commercial value of styling within the wider fashion ecosystem.

The event also saw disruption from animal rights charity PETA_ who stormed the red carpet to call out leather cruelty with its supporters dressed in all black holding signs proclaiming_ “Leather is Destroying the Planet. Wear Your Own Skin.”

On the action_ Kate Werner_ senior campaigns manager at PETA_ said: “Today_s kind shoppers want luxurious and sustainable vegan fabrics and have no interest in funding the violent killing of animals or the destruction of our planet.

“PETA is calling on designers to leave animals and the planet in peace by embracing the plethora of innovative vegan leathers available today.”