Kensington’s Royal Albert Hall is no stranger to pomp and ceremony, and it was on full display last night as it hosted the Fashion Awards—a fundraising gala for the British Fashion Council’s Education Foundation charity. As London’s first fashion gala of its kind, the barometer was set to glamorous as 4,000 guests entered the historic building via the grand staircase. Kate Moss, in a black velvet fishtail gown, was followed by Kate Beckinsale, Lady Gaga, Karlie Kloss, and many more making the red carpet assent. A shimmering, Instagram-friendly Gigi Hadid made a dramatic entrance in Versace and was later presented with the award for International Model of the year by Donatella Versace. “I am blessed to be born in the social media generation,” said a teary Hadid. And social media did have a major presence during the evening, perhaps most notably as host Jack Whitehall called for the chic set to undertake the #MannequinChallenge.
It was a sterling night for British heroines. Simone Rocha picked up British Womenswear Designer of the year, securing her status as the go-to designer for empowering yet romantic clothes. Cries of support from her parents’ box (designer John Rocha and Odette) rippled throughout the hall. The quietly brilliant Sarah Burton took British Brand of the year for her spellbinding year at Alexander McQueen and dedicated it to her “amazing team,” whom she had just taken to the British coast on a research trip. Young Brit and NewGen alum Molly Goddard’s unapologetic designs gained her British Emerging Talent, to great whoops from team Topshop, which supports the NewGen program. British Vogue was honored by Mario Testino for a stellar centenary year.
Many of the most stylish attendees were the gents. While thanking the fashion industry for diversity and acceptance, a youthful Jaden Smith accepted the New Fashion Icon award on behalf of his sister and himself in a striped suit from Grime artist Skepta (dressed in Burberry), and later showed off that his dreads were held in place by Cartier love bands. Onstage, Jared Leto, sporting a glittering Gucci bow tie, presented his friend Alessandro Michele the International Accessories Designer prize. The ever suavely suited Tom Ford presented his dear friend Italian Vogue editor Franca Sozzani with the Swarovski Award for Positive Change—reminding us of the industry’s power to give back. Ralph Lauren’s global outstanding achievements were honored with a mood-raising patriotic montage. A humble bandana-clad Bruce Weber accepted his Fashion Creator award with a quote from Bruce Springsteen and a moving film catching up with the kids from his famed Detroit series.
New sectors of the industry were recognized as well, with Demna Gvasalia taking International Urban Luxury Brand for Vetements (himself in a Gap baseball cap), presented by a mercurial and entertaining Marilyn Manson. Gvasalia also was named International Ready-to-Wear Designer for his reinvention of the storied house Balenciaga.
Espresso martinis gave guests the extra energy they needed to move to the Chiltern Firehouse for a cozy digestif fireside.