Fashion Focus: Fashion Los Angeles Awards 2025 

While Los Angeles is not always acknowledged as a ‘Fashion Capital’ and doesn’t fit into the ‘Big 4’, it has celebrated key and influential fashion figures since 2015. This can be attributed to the ‘Daily Front Row’, a fashion magazine founded in 2002, for creating this event. On April 24, the ninth annual Fashion Los Angeles Awards were held at The Beverly Hills Hotel. Let’s focus on some of the honoured individuals.

Betsey Johnson – Lifetime Achievement Award 
Betsey Johnson, a renowned fashion designer, has been in the industry for over 50 years. While many designers and fashion moguls have an unapproachable and stern demeanour, Johnson is not bound by this reputation. Reflected in her designs and personality, Johnson is unafraid to transgress from the norms – and has done so successfully. Her experimental aesthetic was inspired by the youthquake cultural movement which she was part of. The movement changed the landscape of the fashion industry; her work challenged up-and-coming designers to embrace their creativity. Johnson’s creative instinct called for vivid colours, bold patterns, and unique materials. Working at the intersection of music and fashion and designing the dress for Lisa Loeb in her 1994 M/V for ‘Stay (I Missed You)’, she was honoured with the 2009 Medal of Honour for Lifetime Achievement in Fashion by the National Arts Club. Now, she has been honoured with an award by Daily Front Row in 2025.

She has effectively cemented Chappel Roans’ reputation within the fashion world, being known just as well for her fashion identity and music

Genesis Webb – Music Stylist 
Truly at the intersection of music and fashion is Genesis Webb. Inspired by Lee McQueen and Kathleen Hanna, Webb has been involved in some of the most notable outfits of 2025. Best known for her work with Chappel Roan, we must credit her for her contributions to the Statue of Liberty look at New York’s Governors Ball and the Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture sported at The 2025 Grammy Awards. She has effectively cemented Chappel Roans’ reputation within the fashion world, being known just as well for her fashion identity and music. Beyond her work with Roan, Webb has styled Lisa for many of her solo endeavours for her debut. Examples include the outfit worn for her album release party for her debut solo album ‘Alter Ego’, and more recently, her outfit for Jimmy Kimmel. With Webb styling some of the biggest and fastest-growing artists of 2024, as well as the backup dancers for Lady Gaga’s ‘Abracadabra’ M/V, it is undeniable that she is more than worthy of the ‘Music Stylist’ award in 2025.

Her impact on fashion is undeniable, and her influence unmatched, but whether she is worthy of a ‘Fashion Icon’ Award in 2025 should be put to the question

Tyra Banks – Fashion Icon Award 
Despite her controversial history, Tyra Banks is arguably the definition of a ‘Fashion Icon’. She made significant strides in the modelling industry as the first Black American woman to be featured on the covers of GQ. She was one of only a few Black models who achieved the status of ‘supermodel’. Best known for her work as executive producer and presenter on ‘America’s Next Top Model’, she also had her own television talk show ‘The Tyra Banks Show’ from 2005-2010. Her impact on fashion is undeniable, and her influence unmatched, but whether she is worthy of a ‘Fashion Icon’ Award in 2025 should be put to the question. She had previously retired but returned as a cover model in 2022, and a runway model in 2024 for Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show – but does that make her worthy of a ‘Fashion Icon’ Award? If the award were a ‘Lifetime Fashion Icon’ Award, it would be undeniable that she deserves that honour, but are we still looking to her for fashion inspiration today?