The biggest night in the fashion calendar is nearly upon us, as the British Fashion Council’s annual Fashion Awards returns for another year of celebration, bringing together industry greats to commemorate fashion’s best and brightest. Earlier this year, the BFC announced the first lineup of nominees for the Fashion Awards, unveiling contenders for British Menswear Designer, British Womenswear Designer, New Establishment Menswear, New Establishment Womenswear and Model of the Year. Today, the nominees for Designer of the Year and BFC Foundation Award have been announced ahead of the event at London’s Royal Albert Hall on December 4th.

Recognising the role of a singular designer’s impact not just on home soil but on a global scale, the Designer of the Year accolade celebrates innovation and individuality. This year’s nominations include HERO 26 cover star Jonathan Anderson for JW Anderson and Loewe, Daniel Lee for Burberry, Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons for Prada, Matthieu Blazy for Bottega Veneta, and Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen (whose SS24 collection was her last for the British House).

Meanwhile, the BFC Foundation Award acknowledges the importance of BFC’s Newgen talent. In honour of the initiative’s 30th anniversary, a stellar lineup of nominees sees Aaron Esh, Chet Lo, Conner Ives, Paolo Carzana and Sinéad O’Dwyer honoured for their contributions to British craft.