GUAP GALA IS BACK – HERE'S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Founded by long-time friends Ibrahim Kamara and Jide Adetunji, GUAP's origins go all the way back to the University of Kent, when the duo hosted an African-themed party for fellow students. Refining their talent for bringing people together, the two became the brains behind one of the country's leading culture publications, aiming to celebrate diversity, creativity and excellence among the UK’s youth. With co-signs from Nike, adidas, Apple and many a celebrity, GUAP's impact can’t be understated.

In 2022, the publication launched its annual gala and award experience dedicated to celebrating deserving creatives. 'This is more than an awards show, it is a cultural moment,' Ibrahim and Jide said. 'For 10 years plus, we have been dedicated to discovering, documenting and developing talent that the world needs to see. The GUAP Gala is our way of celebrating them on one of the biggest stages in the country.'

Each year, the GUAP Gala gives attendees a dress code to put their own unique spin on. 2023's event was 'Cosmic Dreams', and boy were the looks otherworldly, while the previous year was 'Fairytales and Folklore'. 2025's instalment will be 'Everything Is a Remix'.

The theme stems from the idea that inspiration always blossoms from something that came before – everything has been remixed, reimagined or reworked to become something new. Expect to see sportswear styles become elaborate ballgowns or casual denim turned into three-piece suiting. Frankly, we can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

Some seriously big names took home a gilded GUAP trophy last year, a testament to their talent, originality and contributions to the culture. The 2025 GUAP Gala features 18 categories, including Industry Professional of the Year, Dancer of the Year, Cultural Hero and New Creative of The Year powered by ASOS.

The winner of this award will not only enjoy their main-character moment on one of the hottest stages in the country, but receive a grant from ASOS to invest in their pursuits. This collaboration is only one pillar of the ASOS Supports framework, a cultural engagement platform dedicated to uplifting the communities and creatives moulding the future. 

​With GUAP being the home of emerging creatives, the awards aren't limited to one discipline – musicians, fashion designers, makeup artists and influencers alike all get a seat at the table. Here's this year's categories:
​
• Content Creator of the Year
• New Creative of the Year powered by ASOS
• DJ of the Year
• Fashion Brand of the Year
• Actor to Watch
• Music Artist to Watch
• Creative Platform/Business/Collective of the Year
• Best Podcast/Online Show
• Best Photographer
• Industry Professional of the Year
• Dancer of the Year
• Stylist of the Year / Model of the Year
• Director of the Year
• Visual Artist of the Year
• Writer of the Year
• Best in Glam
• Cultural Hero
• Legacy Award

Think a particular someone deserves recognition for their creative contributions? The GUAP Gala is powered by you – keep your eyes peeled on guapgala.com to see when voting opens to the public. Plus, stay tuned on ASOS and GUAP’s socials for all the exciting announcements ahead of the big night.