British Fashion Awards 2025: The Full Breakdown (Wales-Bonner, Anderson & More!)

As one of the most widely anticipated fashion events of the year, I was SAT, and waiting on Monday 1st December - earlier this week when The British Fashion Awards were presented by Pandora at The Royal Albert Hall in London. Secretly I was wishing I had been invited, or even had been able to dress one of the invitees! That is my actual dream. 

However, watching everyone arrive in their brilliant outfits and refreshing the live stream every three seconds to see who the winners of the most prestigious fashion awards of the year (in my unbiased British opinion) was a close second to being invited amongst the stars. 

This was the first fashion awards held since Laura Weir’s appointment as CEO of The British Fashion Council earlier this year, in April. She has already done wonders for the BFC, and has set goals for the Council that make her a legendary leader - because we are already seeing the results!

Her main goal is to amplify the influence of fashion in London and make it equally as prestigious as Paris, and Milan for Fashion. Doing so by focusing on nurturing and celebrating new talent, investing heavily in innovation and growing the fashion industry sustainably! 

So without further ado lets get into the results… 

Grace Wales Bonner - BRITISH MENSWEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

This award 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. 

Grace Wales Bonner without a doubt deserved this, alongside her new appointment as the new Creative Director of Menswear for the French fashion house Hermès, making her the first Black woman to lead a major fashion house in this capacity. 

If that isn’t icon behaviour, I don't know what is! She must be pinching herself that this year even happened. It sounds far too dream-like for real life. 

Sarah Burton for Givenchy - BRITISH WOMENSWEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

This award recognises a leading British womenswear designer or business who has consistently made a global impact with their innovative and creative designs, shaping the burgeoning international womenswear landscape. 

Well deserved, yet again another British icon - not to be biased but we just do it best. No shame. 

FROM THE SS26 SHOW

Dilara Findikoğlu - THE VANGUARD AWARD

From when I reported on her show from the SS26 shows at London Fashion week earlier this year I knew she was going places. Iconic designs. Legendary, punky, gothic, dystopian energy. With Naomi Campbell having walked for her - she was always going to win some award. If Naomi sees your vision you know you’ve GOT it! 

This award recognises a designer at the forefront of a new wave in British fashion. The recipient will have demonstrated visionary creativity, cultural leadership and global influence, helping to shape the future of fashion.

And that she did – even dressing the winner of this year's Model of the Year award in a custom gown… 

Anok Yai - MODEL OF THE YEAR

The Model of the Year Award recognises the global impact of a model who over the last 12 months has dominated the industry, making an outstanding contribution to the industry. This decision is not done lightly, and instead is thoughtfully done through an esteemed board of casting directors, creatives, photographers, and editors that come together to evaluate the options. 

This year the award went to Anok Yai, the infamous 27 year old who over the past eight years has totally overtaken the modelling industry, alongside best friend and colleague Alex Consani - last year's MOTY winner. 

Anok was inevitably this year's winner, however many were amused by this as she angrily tweeted last year, in response to Alex Consani winning over her…

“Alex, I love you and I'm so proud of you British Fashion Council, thank you but I don't want it anymore.”

Clearly she did still want it… because guess who showed up on Monday looking ridiculously perfect in a custom couture Dilara Findikoglu gown. Anok Yai. She undoubtedly deserved the win this year and was rightfully chosen to do so by the Model of the Year jury which consisted of - Emma Matell, a casting director, Sophia Neophitou- Apostolou, Aston Em - among a total group of ten.

Congratulations are in order. Manifesting one day me or my bestie will be up there! 

Jonathan Anderson - DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

This award Recognises a British or international designer whose innovative collections and campaigns over the last year have made a notable impact on the industry, defining the shape of global fashion.

Jonathan Anderson won for Dior and JW Anderson, a third consecutive year! And no one had a doubt in their mind. He is the only Creative Director to currently be the exclusive head of a Paris Maison as well as his own eponymous label JW Anderson. Totalling a whopping 18 collections a year.

Just writing that out makes me almost have a nervous breakdown. What an icon. I aspire to his level of work ethic, and think about his stressed out cigarette break on the Seine from earlier this year far too much. 

Other awards and their winners - 

CHANEL - SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Chanel has been honoured with a Special Recognition award celebrating 100 years in the UK.

ISABELLA BLOW AWARD FOR FASHION CREATOR

Rei Kawakubo, Adrian Joffe and Dickon Bowden are recognised for their incredible contribution to the global fashion industry through the establishment of Dover Street Market (DSM).

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD FOR 15 YEARS OF BFC FASHION TRUST

Accepted by Tania Fares, recognising 15 years of BFC Fashion Trust.

DELPHINE ARNAULT - SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

The Special Recognition Award honours outstanding contribution to the fashion industry.

BRUNELLO CUCINELLI - OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Outstanding Achievement Award celebrates the creative contribution of an individual, who throughout their career has constantly shaped and reshaped the fashion world through their innovation and creativity. Previous winners include Tom Ford, Mr. Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Miuccia Prada, Ralph Lauren and Karl Lagerfeld.

KATE HAWLEY - COSTUME DESIGNER OF THE YEAR AWARD

This honour recognises Hawley’s exceptional costume design for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, emphasising the craftsmanship, creativity, and fashion artistry that bring cinematic storytelling to life.

LULU KENNEDY & RAPHAELLE MOORE - SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD FOR 25 YEARS OF FASHION EAST

The Award honours talent incubator Fashion East which marks its 25th anniversary this year, recognising Lulu and Raphaelle’s outstanding leadership and the impactful legacy of the initiative. 

LITTLE SIMZ - CULTURAL INNOVATOR AWARD 

The Cultural Innovator Award celebrates a leading innovator and image-maker in the entertainment industry, who over the course of the year has had a profound impact on the fashion industry and wider culture. 

SAM WOOLF - PANDORA STYLE MOMENT OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Pandora Style Moment of the Year Award celebrates a stylist behind fashion or entertainment moments that have left a lasting mark on culture, innovation and influence. 

MELANIE WARD - POSTHUMOUS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO FASHION AWARD

A very fashionable close to the year…

With the Met Gala taking place mid way through the year on the first Monday in May, and the BFC hosting their awards every December. We fashion obsessed individuals only get fed twice a year - four if you include both A/W and S/S shows. 

I always look forward to the British Fashion Awards, yes because of the awards, talent, and insane outfits but also because The British Fashion Council itself is admirable with their goals and motives, remitting on average £4 million per year across initiatives to fashion talent from education and scholarships. 

This year's awards were a brilliant close to a historic year for the fashion industry! With such tragic losses for the industry, the brilliant Creative Director debuts a jaw dropping SS26 streak over all fashion weeks earlier in September, and even personally for me. I’ve been in Harpers Bazaar this year so that's my biggest fashion win! 

However, my model agent went to the event – and saw Anok Yai. I'm so jealous, no idea how I'm ever going to look him in the eye again. 

Bye for now! 

With love, 

Mimi x