Jonathan Anderson Is Top Nominee at Re-branded British Fashion Awards

Jonathan Anderson in front of his installation at the So-Milano boutique. Courtesy Image

LONDON — Jonathan Anderson of J.W. Anderson and Loewe will be man of the moment on Dec. 5 in London at The Fashion Awards 2016 in partnership with Swarovski, formerly the British Fashion Awards.

Anderson, who shows his own label in London and who is the creative director of Loewe, has been nominated in four out of the nine categories for the event that will take place at the Royal Albert Hall, with an expected audience of 4,000.

Christopher Bailey and Burberry will have their moment, as well, with the former nominated in the new, international business leader category and the latter in the British brand category. Alessandro Michele for Gucci has also been nominated in two categories, international accessories designer and ready-to-wear designer, while the brand’s chief executive officer Marco Bizzarri has been shortlisted in the international business leader category.

Natalie Massenet, chairman of the British Fashion Council, has broken with tradition, announcing the nominees during a brunch in Los Angeles, alongside Caroline Rush, ceo of the BFC, and Karlie Kloss, ambassador for the event’s lead sponsor Swarovski.

The nominations were simultaneously revealed at a screening at the Mondrian hotel in London, and digitally via a private link for a selection of media and retailers.

Some 1,500 members of the fashion industry across 41 countries were asked to put forward their preferences for each category. The five brands and/or individuals that received the most nominations were shortlisted in each category.

The awards have a far more global reach this year, with new “international” categories, including business leader, urban luxury brand, accessories designer, rtw designer and model. In the past, the only international category was designer of the year.

The awards will also serve as the inaugural annual fundraiser gala for the BFC Education Foundation charity, which funnels money into scholarships for students to study at top universities and apprenticeships to develop industry skills.

Some new names to appear as nominees include Self-Portrait for the British emerging talent award; Grace Wales Bonner for British men’s wear designer; Marco Bizzarri for Gucci and Guram Gvasalia for Vetements for international business leader; Adidas and Gosha Rubchinskiy for international urban luxury brand; Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner for international model, and Johnny Coca for Mulberry for international accessories designer.

“The short-listed nominees prove the incredible talent we are so fortunate to work with, both at home and abroad,” Massenet said. “I look forward to welcoming all our guests to London.”

Nadja Swarovski, member of the Swarovski executive board, said the awards underline, “London’s role as a home of innovation in the industry,” and said the money raised “will provide opportunities for a new generation of young designers.”

Additional awards will be made on the night, recognizing career milestones for four individuals and celebrating the role of “creative influencers” in the industry. The recipients of these awards will be announced before the event.

The full list of nominees is as follows:

BRITISH EMERGING TALENT

Alessandra Rich

Charles Jeffrey

Faustine Steinmetz

Molly Goddard

Self-Portrait

BRITISH MEN’S WEAR DESIGNER

Craig Green for Craig Green

Grace Wales Bonner for Wales Bonner

Jonathan Anderson for J.W. Anderson

Tom Ford for Tom Ford