Jonathan Anderson, for JW Anderson and Loewe, has been awarded the biggest prize at The Fashion Awards 2023.
Tonight (December 4, 2023) at the Royal Albert Hall, the Irish designer, who has been at the helm of Loewe since 2013 and founded his eponymous brand in 2008, was presented with the Designer of the Year accolade, in praise of his work over the last 12 months and its longer standing influence.
Anderson's win will come of little surprise to fashion fans as he has had a stellar 2023. Anderson is a designer equipped with the unique ability to straddle commerciality with cult status, telling stories that speak of the next, becoming a household name while still maintaining cultural kudos. This year has seen him spark continuous conversation with his Loewe cast, including Dame Maggie Smith, while his JW Anderson Bumper bags have become the accessory du jour.
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Tonight he was presented with his long-time collaborator and face of his work, British actor Josh O'Connor. Styled by Harry Lambert in Loewe, he wore a textured black suit with a silk vest top underneath.
The 2023 category offered up stiff competition with the nominated shortlist of designers alongside Anderson including Daniel Lee for Burberry, Matthieu Blazy for Bottega Veneta, Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons for Prada and Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. At the 2022 Fashion Awards, the Designer of the Year accolade was presented to Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli.
Other winners presented tonight include; Michaela Coel, recipient of the Pandora Leader of Change Award, Campbell Addy, recipient of the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator, and the lifetime achievement award for Valentino Garavani. Conner Ives walked away with the BFC Foundation Award and Chopova Lowena won Womenswear New Establishment.
