The British Fashion Awards Was A Sensational Night For Black Designers
In the summer of 2020, Black fashion had its renaissance, being recognized on a mainstream level. The online media realm witnessed the rise of now-household designers from Telfar Clemens to Brandon Blackwood, making space for brands like Amina Iris, Agbobly, Noma New York, and more. Black designers and curators have broken the glass ceiling, creating an influx of founders yearly and gaining significant recognition from the CFDA and, more recently, the British Fashion Awards.
The UK event housed who’s who in fashion, style, and glamor Monday night with an incredible feat. Every person of color nominated won their category. From Paloma Elesser winning Model of the Year to Bianca Saunders taking home the New Establishment Menswear Designer, the British Fashion Awards presented a rare night that was met with “about time.”
“I remember being 19 and getting tickets to see all these amazing designers who were celebrated,” said Saunders.
There are many times when Black designers are out of leading opportunities and roles, which pushes them to open their tables with many seats within their community. For someone like Saunders, who has dedicated ten-plus years to this industry, she was finally rewarded on one of fashion’s biggest nights.
Screenwriter and actress Michaela Coel was presented with Pandora’s Leader Of Change award in a moving speech addressing her assault experience and how her show “I May Destroy You” may act as a voice of change for others.
“The system may have failed me, but maybe it will succeed for someone else somewhere else. I want to say thank you to my audience because, in your openness to allowing my work to change you, you have given my pain meaning,” said Coel.
Other night winners included Maximillian Davis for British Womenswear Designer, Campbell Addy for the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator, and Martine Rose for British Menswear Designer Of The Year. After a sensational night, the door is opened wider for emerging creatives.
Scroll below to capture a few highlights from the red carpet.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Anok Yai attends The Fashion Awards 2023 presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert Hall on December 04, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Iwana Cristal attends The Fashion Awards 2023 Presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert Hall on December 04, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Ikram Abdi attends The Fashion Awards 2023 Presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert Hall on December 04, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/FilmMagic)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Mona Tougaard attends The Fashion Awards 2023 Presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert Hall on December 04, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/FilmMagic)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Taylor Russell attends The Fashion Awards 2023 Presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert Hall on December 04, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/FilmMagic)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: FKA Twigs attends The Fashion Awards 2023 Presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert Hall on December 04, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/FilmMagic)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Adut Akech attends The Fashion Awards 2023 Presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert Hall on December 04, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/FilmMagic)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Michaela Coel attends The Fashion Awards 2023 presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert Hall on December 04, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images)