What to Expect From Fashion Awards 2023 – WWD

LONDON — The Fashion Awards, the annual fundraising extravaganza hosted by the British Fashion Council, is set to return on Monday night at the Royal Albert Hall with a slew of major celebrities and designers in attendance.

On Friday, as it was revealed that the British singer Sam Smith will accept the Cultural Innovator Award on stage, it is almost certain that the nonbinary artist will create another memorable red-carpet moment not unlike the dramatic latex ensemble designed by Harri that Smith wore to the BRIT Awards earlier this year.

In recent years, Smith has become increasingly known for their bold and experimental sense of fashion, as well as their Grammy-winning albums.

The Cultural Innovator Award was created to celebrate a leading figure in the entertainment industry who over the years has created viral fashion moments that have had a profound impact on the fashion industry and wider culture.

Caroline Rush, chief executive officer at the British Fashion Council, said Smith is “a true cultural innovator who has fearlessly pushed the boundaries of both fashion and entertainment and inspired countless individuals across the world to embrace their true selves.”

“Smith’s unapologetic and groundbreaking style choices have dominated the industry in 2023 and we are incredibly grateful for their continued support of U.K. designers,” she added.

On top of supporting Harri, a brand that receives funding support from BFC’s emerging talent program Newgen, Smith’s other key fashion moments in recent memory include their all-red Valentino ensemble for the 65th Grammy Awards, an embellished golden corset by Ed Marler worn during their “Gloria” tour, as well as music performances during runway shows for Harris Reed and Christian Cowan.

Smith will be one of many major stars to attend the annual fundraising fashion extravaganza for the BFC Foundation. The event aims to spotlight creative talent, and examine the past year in fashion through the lens of “purpose, excellence and creativity.”

The BFC Foundation is a charity that supports education, grant-giving and business mentoring. In fiscal 2022-23, the BFC said it remitted more than 1.2 million pounds in funds to designers and scholars.

British Ghanaian actress Michaela Coel, with major works such as “I May Destroy You” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” under her belt, has been named the recipient of the Pandora Leader of Change Award.

Her award will be presented to her by Pandora ambassador Pamela Anderson. Pandora is the headline sponsor of the annual fundraising fashion extravaganza this year.

Campbell Addy, the photographer, director and publisher, will receive the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator at The Fashion Awards.

The Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator is meant to recognize innovators and creatives in fashion who have helped to change the fashion landscape. Previous winners include Ib Kamara, Katie Grand, Amanda Harlech, Mert & Marcus, Nick Knight, Pat McGrath, Louise Wilson and Sam McKnight.

Edward Enninful, who is stepping aside as editor in chief of British Vogue next year to become global creative and cultural adviser of Vogue, will take home the Trailblazer Award.

The Trailblazer Award was created in 2018 to celebrate leading innovators and creatives in fashion, whose work in the past year has significantly shaped the industry. Kim Jones, artistic director of Dior menswear and artistic director of haute couture, ready-to-wear and fur collections for women at Fendi, took home the honor that year.

Makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury will receive the Special Recognition Award. The BFC will also honor the late designer Joe Casely-Hayford with a new scholarship and a posthumous Special Recognition Award.

In terms of honors dedicated to fashion designers, Jonathan Anderson, Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, Daniel Lee, Matthieu Blazy and Sarah Burton are the designers nominated for the Designer of the Year award.

Designer Valentino Garavani will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award.

The prize recognizes the creative contribution of an individual to the fashion industry, who throughout their career “has constantly shaped and reshaped the fashion world through their innovation and creativity,” according to the BFC.

Previous winners include Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard, Giorgio Armani, Miuccia Prada, Ralph Lauren, Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Wintour, Terry and Tricia Jones and Manolo Blahnik to name only a few.

Maya Jama, the British television presenter famed for hosting the dating game show “Love Island,” will host the 2023 Fashion Awards along with musician Kojey Radical. Meanwhile, former celebrity stylist Law Roach will host the red-carpet coverage.

Below is the full list of the nominees.

Designer of the Year

BFC Foundation

Model of the Year

British Menswear Designer of the Year

British Womenswear Designer of the Year 

New Establishment Menswear 

New Establishment Womenswear