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2025 Fashion Awards Nominees Revealed: Legends Meet the Next Generation

News Desk

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has released the shortlist for this year’s Fashion Awards, set to return to the Royal Albert Hall on December 1. With support from Pandora and under the direction of newly appointed chief executive Laura Weir, the event will spotlight industry titans while giving a platform to rising talents redefining the creative landscape.

Designer of the Year: Global Game-Changers

The top prize brings together some of the most visionary figures in contemporary fashion. This year’s contenders include:

  • Glenn Martens, applauded for reshaping Diesel and Maison Margiela

  • Jonathan Anderson, last year’s winner, whose work at JW Anderson and Loewe continues to set the pace

  • Martine Rose, praised for her fresh perspective on menswear and street culture

  • Miuccia Prada, an enduring influence across both Prada and Miu Miu

  • Rick Owens, celebrated for his daring, avant-garde approach

  • Willy Chavarria, known for embedding cultural storytelling into his collections

British Womenswear: A Celebration of Innovation

This award recognises the designers advancing the creativity of British womenswear. The nominees are:

  • Simone Rocha, whose romantic yet contemporary designs resonate globally

  • Sarah Burton, now at the helm of Givenchy after a celebrated tenure at Alexander McQueen

  • Erdem Moralıoğlu, merging historic detail with modern elegance

  • Chopova Lowena (Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena), bringing eclectic craftsmanship into the spotlight

  • Knwls (Charlotte Knowles and Alexandre Arsenault), acclaimed for their bold, body-conscious silhouettes

British Menswear: Redefining Masculinity

The menswear shortlist demonstrates the breadth of British design talent. It includes:

  • Craig Green, admired for his structural and sculptural clothing

  • Grace Wales Bonner, whose work fuses tailoring with cultural narratives

  • Kiko Kostadinov, noted for his technically inventive pieces

  • Foday Dumbuya of Labrum London, blending West African heritage with British traditions

  • Nicholas Daley, championing craftsmanship rooted in community

  • Stefan Cooke & Jake Burt, who reinvent traditional menswear with playful twists

Vanguard Award: Recognising Emerging Visionaries

For the first time, the Vanguard Award will spotlight British designers seen as cultural leaders as well as creative innovators. The inaugural nominees are:

  • Aaron Esh

  • Dilara Fındıkoğlu

  • Feben

  • Steve O Smith

  • Tolu Coker

  • Torishéju Dumi

What This Year’s Awards Symbolise

The 2025 nominees reflect an industry in transition — balancing the authority of established names with the energy of new voices. The introduction of the Vanguard Award highlights the BFC’s focus on nurturing future talent, while the womenswear and menswear categories continue to showcase Britain’s role as a hub for creativity and experimentation.

In addition to honouring design excellence, the event sustains its philanthropic mission. Proceeds from sponsorship and ticket sales will go towards the BFC Foundation, funding education, business support, and grants for the designers of tomorrow.

Looking Forward

As the December ceremony draws closer, excitement is mounting for what many call the “Oscars of fashion.” Whether it’s the radical vision of Rick Owens, the innovative flair of Jonathan Anderson, or the bold new outlook of Aaron Esh and Torishéju Dumi, this year’s awards promise to capture a defining moment for the industry — where tradition and reinvention meet on the same stage.

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