by LONDON — What could be more British than Jonathan Anderson, Charlotte Tilbury and award-winning Martine Rose on a rainy winter evening at the Royal Albert Hall?
Monday’s British weather was a fitting backdrop for the Fashion Awards, a night that aimed to celebrate the nation’s talents — and international talents, too.
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Among them was Valentino Garavani, who won the Outstanding Achievement Award. His long-time friend and business partner Giancarlo Giammetti accepted the award from Gwyneth Paltrow, who traveled to London for the event.
The event was a mix of high and low culture, and the evening was hosted by Maya Jama, best known as the host of the ITV2 show “Love Island,” and singer-songwriter KJ Radical. The guest list included Jodie Comer, Taylor Russell, Andrew Garfield, Marina Abrammović and Amal Clooney.
There was also a big dose of fun – which was missing from the stage last year.
Josh O’Connor presented Anderson with his Designer of the Year award, the biggest of the night.
“As I watched this evening, I saw my life before my eyes,” said the designer, as he accepted his award for his work on JW Anderson and Loewe, which is owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
O’Connor is the face of the brand’s spring 2024 pre-collection campaign, wearing a tailored black suit from Loewe.
Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue, presented the Special Recognition Award to Sarah Burton, who left her job at Alexander McQueen in September, where she spent her entire career.
“McQueen has always been about emotions for me. A lot of people have often said that you will never forget how people made you feel,” said an emotional Burton, wearing one of her own designs with Levi’s jeans.
The recipient of the Pandora Leader of Change Award, presented by Pandora ambassador Pamela Anderson, was Ghanaian British actress and writer Michaela Coel, who walked the red carpet in tailored all-white trousers and jacket – and no makeup .
Coel, styled by Georgia Medley, wore a custom white strappy top and long skirt by Maximilian Davis for Ferragamo.
“The system may have failed me, but it may succeed for someone else somewhere else. I want to thank you, my audience, for your openness to let my work change you, you gave meaning to my pain,” said the actor and screenwriter in a powerful speech that addressed her experience of sexual assault, that is. featured in the show she wrote and starred in, “I May Destroy You”.
Sam Smith accepted the Cultural Innovator Award on stage from actress and writer Lena Dunham. They also put on a special performance with a choir.
The non-binary artist showed up in a memorable red carpet outfit – a voluminous black tulle gown designed by Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood, which made as much noise as the dramatic LaTeX ensemble designed by Harri and worn by Smith to the Brit Awards earlier. year.
“Two years ago, I remember telling my family and friends that it was my dream to one day stand up on stage at the Royal Albert Hall in a dress, and sing my heart out,” said the pop star.
“There are no clothes in the world that fit so well as freedom,” they said.
Valentino Garavani, who is 91, won for his “fresh couture creations” and his red carpet dresses. Giammetti was presented with the award by his old friend Paltrow.
Referring to Valentino, she said “he would always ask me about Hollywood, especially the men I met; he didn’t really approve of anyone until he met my husband Brad Falchuk. And he hated that I didn’t like to wear red. So tonight, I wear red for Mr. Valentino.”
Accepting the award on behalf of Valentino, Giammetti pledged 200,000 pounds to British fashion students.
“I know exactly what it means to start a business. It’s so difficult and stressful for everyone around you,” he said before a short fashion show that highlighted Valentino’s most famous designs in the designer’s signature red.
Tilbury, a London native, took to the stage in a sparkly black dress with her signature strawberry colored hair to accept her Special Recognition Award from Clooney, who wore a strapless sequin Atelier Versace gown.
“I booked her for my wedding makeup trial and I was so excited because she showed up at my front door with five huge suitcases of products,” said the international human rights lawyer.
In his speech, Tilbury thanked Kate Moss, Tom Ford, Mert and Marcus, Katie Grand, Mario Testino, Mary Greenwell and the late Hugh Devlin, a lawyer who approached members of the British fashion industry, who died in October .
“Makeup has the power to transform our energy, give us the confidence to live a life without limits and pursue our wildest dreams,” said the makeup artist.
Caroline Rush, chief executive of the BFC, said earlier that what is so special about this year’s nominees is that they are “a true reflection of Britain’s creative energy and its influence on the fashion industry worldwide.”
“We invited key press and buyers with an in-depth knowledge of the industry to define the shortlist of nominees and the list of names chosen reflects the richness and breadth of design talent currently emerging from the UK,” a she said.
This year’s awards show introduced two categories: New Foundation Menswear and New Foundation Womenswear, designed to highlight emerging talent.
Bianca Saunders took the gong for New Establishment Menswear, thanking her peers and family.
“I remember being 19 and getting tickets to see all these amazing designers that were being celebrated,” she said.
Meanwhile, the New Foundation Women’s Clothing award was presented to Chopova Lowena.
Another young British winner on the night was Davis, who won British Womenswear Designer of the Year for his work at Ferragamo, a position he has held since March last year.
“I want to thank my CEO Marco Gobbetti for trusting me with such a big brand,” said the young designer.
In the men’s category, Martine Rose collected the award for British Menswear Designer of the Year for her own presented label. Rapper and singer Little Simz presented her with the award.
The winner of the Model of the Year was Paloma Elsesser, who walked in the past year for Balenciaga, Michael Kors and Chloé.
Campbell Addy, the photographer, director and publisher, received the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator. It was presented by Ib Kamara and Jourdan Dunn, who looked like Nefertiti in a black velvet dress with an Egyptian-style headdress.
“Have the ability to change minds and create new lives to push boundaries so the conversation can continue for future generations to succeed and learn from as well,” said Addy.
The Isabella Blow Fashion Creator Award is intended to recognize fashion innovators and creatives who have helped change the fashion landscape. Previous winners include Ib Kamara, Katie Grand, Amanda Harlech, Mert and Marcus, Nick Knight, Pat McGrath, Louise Wilson and Sam McKnight.
Enninful, who will begin his role as Vogue’s global creative and cultural adviser next year, took home the Trailblazer Award presented by Comer and Croydon-born artist Stormzy.
“You must be sick of seeing me here,” said Enninful.
He added: “We were seeing big changes in Britain at the time [he took his helm]. It felt like the stars aligned for me to put this on the pages of British Vogue.”
Enninful thanked Dame Judi Dench, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Olivia Colman and the Newhouse family.
Conner Ives won the BFC Foundation Award, a charity that supports education, grant making and business mentoring. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, the BFC said it had awarded more than £1.2 million in funding to designers and students.
The BFC presented a new scholarship and special posthumous recognition to the late designer Joe Casely-Hayford, collected by the designer’s son, Charlie.
The BFC Foundation Joe Casely-Hayford MA scholarship 2023-24 provides funding to students of Black or mixed heritage. They must have an offer from, or be studying for, an MA at a BFC member university in the UK This year’s recipient is Taya Francis.
The scholarship is intended to highlight Casely-Hayford’s contribution to the industry and to recognize Black British culture and its influence on wider British culture.
Launch Gallery: The Fashion Awards 2023 Red Carpet Arrivals: All the Looks and Live Updates
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