A high-profile animal rights protest disrupted the glamour of the Fashion Awards 2025 on Monday evening, as a demonstrator sprinted onto the red carpet at London's Royal Albert Hall.
Red Carpet Interruption for Animal Rights
The activist, representing the global charity PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), positioned themselves beside actress Wallis Day as she posed for photographers ahead of the ceremony. They held aloft a sign with a stark message reading: 'Leather is destroying the planet. Wear your own skin.' Security personnel swiftly intervened, escorting the protester away as the parade of celebrities continued.
In a statement following the incident, PETA condemned the leather trade, stating: 'Cows form friendships, grieve, and don’t want to be slaughtered yet the leather trade treats them like objects, and they may be skinned or dismembered while still conscious.' The organisation argued the industry contributes significantly to climate destruction, water contamination, and land devastation.
PETA's Call for Vegan Innovation
The group urged fashion designers to embrace alternative materials, highlighting innovative vegan leathers derived from apples, grapes, mushrooms, and pineapples. 'Designers can choose innovative vegan leathers... Let’s leave animals and the planet in peace. Go leather-free,' their statement concluded.
This year's ceremony, considered one of the most prestigious nights in the fashion calendar, was hosted by actor Colman Domingo, who paid tribute to British style by wearing Burberry on the red carpet. The event, first held in 1989 as the British Fashion Awards, has been a hotspot for iconic figures from Princess Diana and the Spice Girls to Vivienne Westwood and Karl Lagerfeld.
Celebrating Fashion's Finest
During the awards, Cate Blanchett presented the British Womenswear Designer Of The Year Award to Sarah Burton, famed for designing the Princess of Wales's wedding dress in 2011. The top honour of Designer of the Year went to Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson for his work at Dior and his own label JW Anderson, marking his third win in this category.
The evening featured performances from artists including Raye, who sang 'Where Is My Husband!' and a cover of Justin Timberlake's 'Cry Me A River', as well as Tems and the English National Ballet.
FASHION AWARDS 2025: KEY WINNERS
- Designer of the Year: Jonathan Anderson for Dior and JW Anderson
- British Womenswear Designer of the Year: Sarah Burton for Givenchy
- British Menswear Designer of the Year: Grace Wales Bonner for Wales Bonner
- The Vanguard Award: Dilara Fındıkoğlu for Dilara Fındıkoğlu
- Model of The Year: Anok Yai
- Cultural Innovator Award: Little Simz
- Outstanding Achievement Award: Brunello Cucinelli
