The British Fashion Awards landed in London last night, filling the Royal Albert Hall with the kind of cultural gravity only this industry can conjure: musicians sharing space with actors, athletes flanked by supermodels, and designers whose influence shapes the next decade of style. Hosted by Oscar-nominated Colman Domingo, and soundtracked by performances from Raye and Tems, the night felt less like an awards ceremony and more like a widescreen snapshot of where British fashion now sits – and where it’s heading.
And this year, menswear was not the supporting act. It was front and centre.
A night of winners who shape the culture
Jonathan Anderson secured Designer of the Year for his work at Dior and JW Anderson – a reminder that a single designer can steer the temperature of global menswear. Grace Wales Bonner won British Menswear Designer of the Year, accepted by Dave, cementing her position as the designer redefining what modern British men look like. Meanwhile, Little Simz collected the Cultural Innovator Award, a fitting win for an artist whose visual world often leads men’s streetwear conversation as much as music.
The night also honoured industry pillars: Brunello Cucinelli with the Outstanding Achievement Award, Kate Hawley for Costume Designer of the Year, and a moving posthumous tribute to Melanie Ward. Chanel received a Special Recognition Award marking 100 years in the UK – celebrated with a performance by English National Ballet wearing reinterpretations of Gabrielle Chanel’s original Le Train Bleu designs. It was fashion history, restaged for now.
Our exclusive look: The Peninsula London, fashion’s new unofficial runway
Before the red carpet, the flashes and the step-and-repeat, many of the night’s biggest names assembled at The Peninsula London, now in its third year as the Official Hotel Partner of the Fashion Awards.
Photographed by Seye Isikalu, capturing more intimate moments of the night: the lobby pauses, tailoring checks, and the final breath before stepping into the frenzy.
Through its partnership with the British Fashion Council, The Peninsula London has a ongoing commitment to British creativity, from commissioning UK artists to working with designers like Jenny Packham – the hotel has embedded itself into the cultural fabric of the evening. In a year when British luxury is being redefined, it felt fitting that one of the city’s newest landmarks played host to so many of the night’s key figures.
This year, our favourite looks came from a new mix of personalities – from Spike Fearn’s youthful British polish to Sam Woolf’s precision tailoring, Skepta’s textured ceremonial cool, and Ed Westwick and Douglas Booth championing clean, confident cuts.
Favourite Looks:
All Images courtesy of The Peninsula London & Seye Isikalu
