Why enter

This award recognises a business operating in the fashion retail space (including multiple 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 key to a successful business, and this award aims to highlight those companies that have put people at the heart of their overall strategy.

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

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 multiple 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 2025 to 30 June 2026

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 multiple 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 2025 to 30 June 2026

This category is open to all multiple fashion retailers and brands operating in the UK and Ireland. Judges will be looking for a business that can demonstrate a strong understanding of and creative approach to social media that spans multiple platforms. They will also be looking for businesses that have improved their social media strategies and introduced new initiatives to engage customers.

Whether through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, WhatsApp or any other social channel, the business should demonstrate how the media have been harnessed to drive sales and build brand awareness over the past 12 months.

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

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 2025 to 30 June 2026

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.

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

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 demonstrate good understanding of the customer needs in the relevant market(s).

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

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

Judges will be looking for 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 demonstrate key values such as diversity and sustainability, and how these are woven into the wider strategy.

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

If your business is direct to consumer, has stores and does not wholesale, please enter the Retailer of the Year category.

If your business is direct to consumer, does not wholesale and operates online only, please enter the Pureplay of the Year category.

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

Open to pureplay fashion etailers only, both multi-brand and mono-brand direct-to-consumer online players, 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 demonstrate key values such as diversity and sustainability, and how these are woven into the wider strategy. If your business has stores, please enter the Retailer of the Year category.

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

This award recognises circular business models including rental and resale that are rising to prominence in the UK and Irish fashion industry.

This category is open to retailers and brands 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 and brands: technology companies should enter Tech Innovator of the Year.

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

This award recognises multiple fashion retailers operating in the UK and/or Ireland, with annual turnover of £100m or more. Eligible businesses must have stores and should have a strong multichannel offer.

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 demonstrate key values such as diversity and sustainability, and how these are woven into the wider strategy.

Please note that pureplay etailers are not eligible for this category and should instead enter Pureplay of the Year.

If you are an independent retailer, please enter one of the categories for independent retailers here (link)

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

This award recognises multiple fashion retailers operating in the UK and/or Ireland, with annual turnover of between £10m and £100m. Eligible businesses must have stores and should have a strong multichannel offer.

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.

Please note that pureplay etailers are not eligible for this category and should instead enter Pureplay of the Year. If you are an independent retailer, please enter one of the categories for independent retailers here (link)

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

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.

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

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.

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

This award will recognise the exceptional performance of wholesale womenswear brands operating in the UK and/or Ireland. Please note: the brand must wholesale but can also have a direct-to-consumer arm.

Judges will be looking for clear demonstration of resilience and agility in the face of recent challenges, and evidence of innovation. The winning brand will be able to show that it works closely and positively with staff, retailers 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 demonstrate key values such as diversity and sustainability, and how these are woven into the wider strategy.

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

If your business is direct to consumer, has stores and does not wholesale, please enter the Retailer of the Year category.

If your business is direct to consumer, does not wholesale and operates online only, please enter the Pureplay of the Year category.

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

This award is open to independent department stores in the UK and Ireland with a bricks-and-mortar presence (no pure plays).

Judges will be looking for a strong edit of key fashion brands appropriate to the target customer; high standards of service; signs of resilience and agility; an in-store environment (and online offer, if applicable) that complements the brands on offer; a strong business plan and buying strategy that ensures the store remains at the top of its game; and evidence of financial success.

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

This award is open to independent multi-brand retailers in the UK and Ireland with a bricks-and-mortar presence (no pureplays) catering for niche areas of fashion retail.

We are looking for specialists across areas including but not limited to bridal, lingerie, tailoring, childrenswear, teenwear and accessories. 

Judges will be looking for a strong edit of brands appropriate to the target customer; high standards of service; signs of innovation, resilience and agility; an in-store environment (and online offer, if applicable) that complements the brands on offer; a strong business plan and buying strategy that ensures the retailer remains at the top of its game; and evidence of financial success.

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

This award is open to independent multi-brand retailers in the UK and Ireland with a bricks-and-mortar presence (no pureplays), operating for the last three years or less.

Judges will be looking for a strong edit of brands appropriate to the target customer; high standards of service; signs of innovation and agility; an in-store environment (and online offer, if applicable) that complements the brands on offer; a strong business plan and buying strategy that ensures the retailer remains at the top of its game; evidence of initial financial success; and plans for future growth.

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

This award is open to independent multi-brand menswear retailers in the UK and Ireland with a bricks-and-mortar presence (no pureplays).

Judges will be looking for a strong edit of menswear brands appropriate to the target customer; high standards of service; signs of resilience and agility; an in-store environment (and online offer, if applicable) that complements the brands on offer; a strong business plan and buying strategy that ensures the retailer remains at the top of its game; and evidence of financial success.

The business can either sell only menswear or a mix with other categories but should be able to demonstrate that menswear makes up substantially more than half of sales.

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

This award is open to independent multi-brand womenswear retailers in the UK and Ireland with a bricks-and-mortar presence (no pureplays).

Judges will be looking for a strong edit of womenswear brands appropriate to the target customer; high standards of service; signs of resilience and agility; an in-store environment (and online offer, if applicable) that complements the brands on offer; a strong business plan and buying strategy that ensures the retailer remains at the top of its game; and evidence of financial success.

The business can either sell only womenswear or a mix with other categories but should be able to demonstrate that womenswear makes up substantially more than half of sales.

Qualifying period

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

The biggest fashion retailers in the UK and Ireland will go head to head to be named the consumer’s choice shopping destination of 2026. The award will be judged by a consumer poll and the winner will be announced on the night.

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

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

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

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