Across the 11 award categories, winners included Sarah Burton for British Womenswear Designer of the Year, Grace Wales Bonner for British Menswear Designer of the Year, Little Simz for Cultural Innovator of the Year, and Jonathan Anderson for Fashion Designer of the Year.

This marks Anderson’s third consecutive win — and his first since joining the House of Dior.While Designer of the Year is often considered the highlight of the evening, this year’s Model of the Year award brought a wave of emotion through the hall. The honour went to Anok Yai, a South Sudanese refugee raised in the United States, who made history with her deeply moving acceptance speech.

Welcomed on stage by her industry peers and close friends Paloma Elsesser and Alex Consani (last year’s Model of the Year), Yai delivered a powerful and heartfelt message. She spoke about the struggles within the modelling industry, her own battles with self-doubt, and the persistent barriers faced by women of colour. Her words resonated across the audience, especially when she addressed young Black girls watching: “To all my little Black girls… your colour is not a curse.”

Before leaving the stage, Yai issued a call to action, urging the audience not to ignore the ongoing genocide in Sudan.  Beyond her ethereal beauty and undeniable talent, Anok Yai once again proved her ability to move hearts and shift conversations.

The awards ceremony featured performances by Raye, the English National Ballet, and Tems, and included a moment of remembrance for the creatives the industry lost in 2025.

Written By Angela Gaote