British Fashion Council Announce Fashion Awards 2020 Are Going Digital

The Fashion Awards 2020 will be going ahead, the British Fashion Council announced this morning, however will take on a digital format. The event is a keystone on the fashion schedule, celebrating the designers, brands and creatives making waves in the industry. Now more than ever, it's vital to recognise those individuals and groups driving fashion forwards during unprecedented times.

Throughout the pandemic, the BFC has continued to be a lifeline for British fashion creatives and young talent, having pooled funds from its talent initiative schemes to create the BFC Foundation Covid Crisis Fund, supporting the likes of Bethany Williams and Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY. The Fashion Awards provides the primary source of funding for the BFC, so it is essential that they go ahead.

Caroline Rush (BFC CEO) emphasised the importance of the awards taking place in a statement that read: 'What the past couple of months have shown us, is that the fashion industry is in need of a reset. This is why this year, under unique circumstances, we felt that it was important to recognise the people and businesses who played a role in some of the most important and challenging issues of our generation and champion those who raised the bar in areas such as diversity, sustainability, and community.'

This year, the event will award twenty individuals and brands with a '2020 Fashion Award', putting aside the 18 or so categories which we typically see. Spotlighting those who have adapted their businesses to these challenging new times and responded to their communities, have faced the pandemic with pro-active responses, and/or stood up to prejudice within the industry, designers such as Bethany Williams, who co-founded the Emergency Designer Network, are expected to appear on the yet unannounced list of recipients.

On Thursday 3 December 2020, the Fashion Awards will take on a new digital format where the recipients will be announced in a short film documenting the fashion industry's journey this past year. The BFC are expected to put technology and engagement at the forefront of their approach moving forwards, having now supported London designers across two digital fashion weeks in June and September 2020, with an online portal and digital activations.

Returning for the third year will also be the 'New Wave: Creatives' list, spotlighting young creatives. The list has become an essential resource for pooling talent and networking, and it's return reinforces the BFC's commitment to supporting British and international talent.