Meet the winners of GUAP GALA 2025

The third annual GUAP Gala went down on Friday 7th November 2025 , and we are proud to reveal our 2025 winners.

Under the theme “Everything Is a Remix,” we brought together the visionaries, creators, and trailblazers who are redefining what creativity looks like in this generation. From the underground to the global stage, each winner represents a different chapter in the story of where culture is headed next.

New Creative Of The Year supported by asos

Winner: GOODVIBESONLY

Kelechi Okafor is a Black-British public speaker, podcaster, activist, and writer; recently releasing her latest book, Edge of Here.

Cultural Hero Of The Year supported by Whatsapp

Winner: Mamadinya

Mamadinya brings real talk and lived experience to the forefront. Her content centres women’s voices in unapologetic ways, mixing insight, humour and heart to shift narratives and make space for authenticity to flourish.

Artist To Watch supported by Tunecore

Winner: DC3

Six years, 20 team members and over 100 parties later, Recess is now the bedrock of Black London’s nightlife scene, operating out of its HQ in Tottenham. Now operating internationally, the Sonubi brothers, who founded Recess, have found success in New York, Paris and beyond.

Visual Artist of the year

Winner: Teoni

Teoni paints emotion into form. Her visual work often raw, figurative and drenched in feeling —has made her one of the standout new artists repping London’s creative scene. She captures the in-between moments: stillness, softness, self-reflection.

Podcast/Online Show of the Year supported by WordOnTheCurb

Winner: 90’S Baby Podcast

The 90s Baby Podcast resurrects nostalgia with muscle. What began as shared recollections has grown into a platform that interrogates, celebrates and re-voices a generation.

Actor of the year

Winner: Josh Tedeku

Josh Tedeku is a screen presence you’ll remember but more importantly, a storytelling voice you’ll feel. From his breakout in Boarders to the upcoming Supacell, he’s moving with range, purpose and the kind of quiet force that marks a new wave of Black British talent.

Content Creator Of The Year

Winner: PAPZ

Papz has become one of TikTok’s funniest rising stars, known for his sharp skits, unforgettable characters, and effortless ability to turn anything: from rap beefs to everyday chaos: into pure comedy. With millions of views and a growing online community, he’s now levelling up from creator to director, bringing that same humour and creativity to the screen in new, bigger ways.

Fashion Brand Of The Year

Winner: CLINTS inc

Clints Inc have kept the heartbeat of streetwear alive while elevating its cultural relevance. Rooted in Manchester but scaling far beyond, they’ve turned drops into moments, fashion into voice, and community into movement.

Dj Of The Year

Winner: DJ AG

DJ AG is the street DJ bringing culture back to the pavement. Known for his viral pop-up sets that have seen surprise moments with Skepta, Ciara, and Craig David, he’s built a movement rooted in community.

Dancer Of The Year

Winner: Zoe Baptiste

Zoe Baptiste is a dancer and creator whose infectious energy has made her one of TikTok’s standout stars. With over 2.8 million followers, she’s built a global community through choreography that blends rhythm, joy, and personality. Every routine feels like a celebration – turning trending sounds into moments that connect people everywhere.

Stylist Of The Year

Winner: Elshy

El-Shaddai Nyagodzi is a UK fashion stylist redefining what modern style looks like. Known for her bold, editorial edge and work with artists like Odeal and on the 2024 film Raye: Genesis, she crafts looks that balance creative vision with individuality. Featured in GUAP and Deeds Magazine, El-Shaddai’s styling doesn’t just dress her subjects, it amplifies who they are.

Best In Glam

Winner: Faith Melody

Faith Melody is a hair sculpture artist inspired by traditional West African hairstyles, blending heritage with modern artistry. Her creations are elegant, powerful, and timeless – transforming hair into living pieces of cultural storytelling.

Director Of The Year

Winner: Lauzza

LAUZZA is a London-based director shaping the look and feel of the UK’s new music era. Known for his cinematic eye and signature Y2K-inspired visuals, he’s worked with artists like PinkPantheress, Jim Legxacy, and YT, creating videos that feel both nostalgic and futuristic. As part of the production company Compulsoryview, Lauzza continues to push visual storytelling forward making every frame feel like a memory in motion.

Fashion Designer Of The Year

Winner: Foday Dumbuya

Foday Dumbuya is the founder and creative director of LABRUM London, a British-Sierra Leonean fashion brand telling untold stories of migration, heritage, and identity through design. Born in Freetown and now based in London, Foday merges classic British tailoring with West African craft and storytelling creating garments that feel both global and deeply personal.

Brand Of The Year

Winner: Topicals

Topicals is a skincare brand founded by Olamide Olowe and Claudia Teng, redefining what “good skin” looks like. Focused on treating chronic skin conditions like hyperpigmentation and eczema, the brand combines science with culture – using bold, inclusive storytelling to celebrate real skin, not perfect skin.

Photographer Of The Year

Winner: Elliot Hensford

Elliot Hensford is a UK-based photographer and creative director capturing the energy of music, fashion, and youth culture. Known for his clean yet soulful aesthetic, his work blends editorial polish with raw cultural storytelling. From shooting campaigns like Nike’s Air Jordan 40 to being named one of New Wave Magazine’s Top 50 Creatives, Elliot continues to shape how modern Britain looks and feels through his lens.

Model Of The Year

Winner: Tanatswa

Tanatswa is a London-based model redefining what modern beauty looks like. Represented by IMM Agency, she’s already caught the industry’s attention with standout work for Mugler and a presence that commands every frame. Effortlessly blending strength and softness, Tanatswa brings intention to everything she does — representing a new wave of models who aren’t just walking runways, but reshaping the culture of fashion itself.