The Fashion Awards, known as the British Fashion Awards until 2016, is an annual ceremony established in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

in 1989 to showcase both British and international individuals and businesses who have made the most outstanding contributions to the fashion industry during the year. The ceremony is organized by the British Fashion Council, and is the primary fundraiser for the BFC's Education Foundation; a charity that promotes excellence in design by financially supporting students with the ability and potential to make an exceptional contribution to the fashion industry.

History

Originally named the British Fashion Awards, the first Fashion Awards ceremony took place on 17 October 1989 and was attended by Princess Diana, who wore a Catherine Walker gown (''Elvis dress'') especially for the occasion. In 2010 four-time winner of British Designer of the Year award,

Alexander McQueen Lee Alexander McQueen (17 March 1969 – 11 February 2010) was a British fashion designer and couturier. He founded his own Alexander McQueen (brand), Alexander McQueen label in 1992 and was chief designer at Givenchy from 1996 to 2001. His ac ...

received the award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design in recognition of his illustrious career. In 2007 the Fashion Creator Award is renamed Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator in honour of

Isabella Blow Isabella Blow (née Delves Broughton; 19 November 1958 – 7 May 2007) was an English magazine editor. She was mentor to Philip Treacy, and is credited with discovering the models Stella Tennant and Sophie Dahl, and fashion designer Alexander ...

, 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.

Award categories

Designer of the Year

Recognises an international designer whose innovative collections have not made a notable impact on the industry.

Accessories Designer of the Year

Business Leader

This award will never recognise the work of a CEO or President of a fashion business who has overseen both creative and commercial success in the past year.

Urban Luxe Award

Celebrating the innovation and influence of a contemporary apparel brand.

British Emerging Talent - Womenswear

Recognising 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.

British Designer of the Year - Menswear

Recognises a leading British menswear designer.

Model of the Year

Recognises the global impact of a model, male or female, who over the last 12 months has dominated the industry.

Outstanding achievement

The Outstanding Achievement Award celebrates the creative contribution of an individual to the fashion industry.

Swarovski Swarovski (, ) is an Austrian producer of glass based in Wattens, Tyrol. It was founded in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski. The company is split into three major industry areas: the Swarovski Crystal Business, which primarily produces crystal glas ...
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 innovators and creatives in fashion.

2020s Special Categories

In 2020, the British Fashion Awards were broken down into only four categories - Community, Creativity, Environment and People. Five people won each award. In 2021, normal categories resumed, with the addition of awards for fifteen "Leaders of Change" in the fashion industry. In 2022, the "Leaders of Change" award remained, but the normal categories were replaced with Model of the Year, Designer of the Year, Independent British Brand, and BFC Foundation Award.

Awards Winners

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

No awards given

2001

2000

1999

1998