Surrane Jones, Emma Raducanu and Mel B among winners at Stylist’s Remarkable Women Awards 2022

Virgin Radio

15 Mar 2022, 10:08

Last night over 150 people gathered at The Londoner Hotel for Stylist’s Remarkable Women Awards 2022.

The annual event is a celebration of some incredible women and the work they do to better the lives of other women. Last night’s ceremony was a welcome return for the awards, which took a two-year hiatus due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

From fashion and music to acting and activism, the evening shone a light on inspiring women from all different industries.

Before getting the awards, the ceremony kicked off with acknowledgement of the crisis in Ukraine from Stylist Group’s CEO Ella Dolphin and Editor in Chief Lisa Smosarski.

The former said: “While tonight will be a celebration, we continue to hold a place in our hearts and minds for the people of Ukraine and we are sending our thoughts, strength and collective hopes for peace soon.”

This was followed by a beautiful poem by Nikita Gill.

Hosted by comedian and writer Rose Matafeo, there were 10 awards up for grabs throughout the night.

Among the winners was former Spice Girl Melanie Brown (Mel B), who took home the award for Fearless Future, presented by Stacey Dooley.

Over the past year, Mel became a patron for Women’s Aid after bravely opening up about her own experience of abuse. She has also fronted a campaign for them and has been tirelessly working for change.

Emma Raducanu, of course, took home the award for Sports Star of the Year, presented by Footballer Alex Scott, after her victory at the US Open and Radio DJ Clara Amfo was honoured with the Special Recognition Award.

Martin Compston presented his co-star Surrane Jones with the Actor of the Year award, and the Activist prize went to Soma Sara, who founded the Everyone’s Invited website, which focuses on exposing and ending rape culture.

Booker prize-winner Bernardine Evaristo was awarded with Writer of the Year by podcaster Elizabeth Day while radio DJ Vick Hope presented Musician of the Year to neo-soul singer Joy Crookes.

Designer of the year went to Irish fashion designer Simone Rocha, and Ruth Madeley won Changemaker of the Year for her unrelenting fight for better disability representation in the entertainment industry.

Finally, the award for Mental Health Advocate of the Year went to Agnes Mwakatuma, who co-founded the mental health charity Black Minds Matter.

Lisa Smosarski, editor-in-chief of Stylist, said: "I'm delighted we can be together again this year to celebrate the women who are using their platforms to help other women - if the challenges of the past two years have taught us anything, it's that every day we are lucky enough to encounter truly remarkable women.

"From our brilliant NHS workers, scientists, key workers and carers to our friends, neighbours and the women who formed support groups, charities and lead communities.

"This year we are celebrating our return to normality thanks to those thousands of acts of remarkability."