This award recognises a campaign run across any channel (social media, TV, billboard, poster, web, magazine/newspaper, radio, in store or any combination thereof). It will be awarded to a successful fashion marketing initiative run during the past 12 months, whether a one-off hit, year-long programme or anything in between.

It is open to any fashion retailer or brand (wholesale and/or direct to consumer) operating in the UK and/or Ireland. Judges will look for a campaign that has a clear focus, good brand messaging, creative use of the media involved, and proven results according to its aims and objectives.

Qualifying period

1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

This award recognises a business operating in the fashion retail space (including retailers, etailers, brands and suppliers) that can demonstrate a commitment to making their business a great place to work. Finding and retaining the right talent is often the key to a successful business, and this award aims to highlight those companies that have put people at the heart of their overall strategy.

• Has the business dovetailed its HR and business strategies?
• Can the organisation demonstrate a real business benefit to its HR strategies? 
• How does the business measure its treatment of staff?
• Does the business go above and beyond to offer attractive and suitable staff incentives?
• What are the business’s staff churn rates? How does this compare with the industry average?

This award recognises a retail store with a truly outstanding design/redesign and visual merchandising offer. It is open to multiple retailers (please submit separate entries for each store) or department stores (please enter one or more department or specific area(s) of one store).

The entry should demonstrate strong design and creativity, and excellent use of display equipment, to create a stunning interior and presentation of product appropriate to the store's style and clientele. Use of technology and external window displays will be considered, as well as the overall cost of the fit-out and the value it represents.

This category can be entered either directly by the retailer or on its behalf by an appointed design agency and architect. The retailer must be informed if entered by an agency.

Please include imagery and a virtual tour of the store.

This award recognises the new or disruptive business models that are rising to prominence in the UK and Irish fashion industry. You might offer rental, resale, a marketplace model, subscription service or personal styling, or a brand-new concept – whatever it is, you are shaking up the traditional understanding of how fashion is made and/or sold.

This category is open to retailers that have been operating in the UK and/or Irish fashion industry for at least a year, and can demonstrate potential to grow. This category is for retailers: technology companies should enter Tech Innovator of the Year.

This award recognises a fashion brand or multiple fashion retailer operating in the UK and/or Ireland that has delivered a project or initiative in the past 12 months that has significantly contributed to greater diversity and inclusion, either within the business, or in its external marketing efforts and/or brand messaging.

This could include (but is not limited to) introducing/leading an initiative that removes barriers to progress internally; improving opportunity and representation in the workplace; creating an environment that fosters a sense of belonging for all; improving employee engagement; and/or using more diverse models and brand ambassadors.

Qualifying period

1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

This award recognises a business that supplies fashion product to multiple retailers in the UK and/or Ireland. This can involve retailers' own labels, or the supplier's own brand, or a mixture of the two. The award will go to a company that demonstrates reliable delivery of orders, a good working relationship with its retail partners, a safe working environment and standards, great-quality products and outstanding customer service.

Stand-out entries will also talk about key values such as diversity and sustainability, and how these are woven into the wider strategy.

This award will celebrate a British or Irish fashion business that can demonstrate success in its recent operations outside the UK and Irish Republic. It is open to multiple retailers, department stores and brands that have opened shops and/or have extended their online presence overseas. The expansion could have been made directly, or via local partners.

The winning business will have successfully expanded into at least one new territory outside the UK and Ireland in the past 12 months, boast a strong strategy for international growth and show/demonstrate good understanding of the customer needs in the relevant market(s).

Qualifying period

1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

This award will recognise the exceptional performance of a menswear brand operating in the UK and/or Ireland. Please note the brand must wholesale, but can also have a retail/digital arm.

Judges will be looking for a clear demonstration of resilience and agility, including evidence of innovation. The winning brand will be able to show how it supports its staff and stockists, alongside evidence of commercial success. It must show exceptional, well-targeted product, good pricing architecture, and an excellent sourcing and logistics strategy.

Stand-out entries will also talk about key values such as diversity and sustainability, and how these are woven into the wider strategy.

Brands must have multiple retailers in the UK and Ireland on their stockist list.

Qualifying period

1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

Open to pureplay fashion etailers only, this award will celebrate proven commercial success, a strong buying strategy for online, a relevant brand mix, great use of design and content online, excellent usability and web traffic, great customer service, and efficient handling of stock and logistics.

Stand-out entries will also talk about key values such as diversity and sustainability, and how these are woven into the wider strategy.

With this award, Drapers celebrates the talent and hard work of the fashion industry’s stars.

This category is open to individuals working for a multiple fashion retailer or brand that operates in the UK and/or Irish fashion market, including (but not limited to) buyers, designers, merchandisers, store staff, those in supply chain, ecommerce and marketing roles, and sales agents.

The Retail Star will have made a demonstrable impact on their business in the past 12 months.  

Please submit a short video of the nominee, or the person nominating, discussing their achievements and why they deserve to win. Please also submit a high-resolution headshot.

Please note that those working for independent retailers should enter the Independent Star of the Year for the Drapers Independents Awards.

Qualifying period

1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

This award recognises multiple fashion retailers operating in the UK and/or Ireland, with annual turnover of £101m or more.

Judges will be looking for clear demonstration of resilience and agility in the face of recent challenges, and evidence of innovation. The winning retailer will be able to show that it works closely and positively with staff, suppliers and other partners, while maintaining focus on the core pillars of successful fashion retailing – such as offering excellent, well-targeted product; outstanding customer service; and authentic marketing and communication.

Stand-out entries will also talk about key values such as diversity and sustainability, and how these are woven into the wider strategy.

You should be able to show a strong multichannel/digital approach, but please note that pureplay etailers are not eligible for this category and should instead enter Pureplay of the Year.

Qualifying period

1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

This award recognises multiple fashion retailers operating in the UK and/or Ireland, with annual turnover of between £10m and £100m.

Judges will be looking for clear demonstration of resilience and agility in the face of recent challenges, and evidence of innovation. The winning retailer will be able to show that it works closely and positively with staff, suppliers and other partners, while maintaining focus on the core pillars of successful fashion retailing – such as offering excellent, well-targeted product; outstanding customer service; and authentic marketing and communication.

Stand-out entries will also talk about key values such as diversity and sustainability, and how these are woven into the wider strategy.

You should be able to show a strong multichannel/digital approach, but please note that pureplay etailers are not eligible for this category and should instead enter Pureplay of the Year.

Qualifying period

1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

This category is open to teams within a multiple fashion retailer or brand that operates in the UK and/or Irish fashion market – including (but not restricted to) those working in stores, head office and distribution centres.

Judges will be looking for a team that can demonstrate how they have contributed to the overall objectives of the business. Entrants must outline their exceptional understanding of the market and customer, and explain why the team stands out above the rest, and how it achieved measurable results and give evidence to support this.

Entrants must outline the size of the team, how it engages with the rest of the business and how it innovates to drive the overall business strategy.

This award recognises businesses using technology and innovation to solve a problem facing the fashion retail industry.

This category is open to companies that have been operating in the UK and/or Irish fashion industry for at least a year and can demonstrate potential to grow.

This award will recognise the exceptional performance of womenswear brands operating in the UK and/or Ireland. Please note the brand must wholesale, but can also have a retail/digital arm.

Judges will be looking for clear demonstration of resilience and agility in the face of recent challenges, and evidence of innovation. The winning retailer will be able to show that it works closely and positively with staff, suppliers and other partners, while maintaining focus on the core pillars of successful fashion retailing – such as offering excellent, well-targeted product; outstanding customer service; and authentic marketing and communication.

Stand-out entries will also talk about key values such as diversity and sustainability, and how these are woven into the wider strategy.

Brands must have multiple retailers in the UK and Ireland on their stockist list.

Qualifying period

1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

This special award will be chosen by Drapers. Nominations for recipients should be emailed to mollie.rice@emap.com

This special award will be chosen by Drapers. Nominations for recipients should be emailed to mollie.rice@emap.com