Every year, the biggest names in fashion descend on the Royal Albert Hall for the prestigious Fashion Awards – and this year was no different. The awards celebrate British and international talent from the global fashion community, and 2017 saw Adwoah Adboah scoop the Model of the Year Award (won last year by Gigi Hadid.)
Stella McCartney OBE received the Special Recognition Award for innovation, and rightly asked that she could return next year to hand over the award to another deserving individual. Other winners of the night included Pat McGrath MBE (Isabella Blow Awards for Fashion Creator), Christopher Bailey MBE (Outstanding Contribution to British Fashion Award), Donatella Versace (Fashion Icon Award) and Marco Bizzari for Gucci (Business Leader Award).
This year saw Karlie Kloss co-host with Jack Whitehall, and with his comedic flair and her experience in the industry, it made for a perfect yet unlikely match. One of the most memorable awards was that awarded to Donatella Versace for Fashion Icon of the year. This award celebrated creativity and innovation, glamour and power of Versace and recognises the incredible fashion legacy of Gianni Versace and the role Donatella played in maintaining the iconic brand her brother created. She also supports, mentors and champions many young designers, which made this award all the more fitting. Rita Ora presented this award, but not before she sung FREEDOM with the Freedom choir, much to the appreciation of Natalie Massanet who will be stepping down as Chairman of the British Fashion Council this year.
Another memorable award was that given to Christopher Bailey, who has also stepped down from Burberry. Anna Wintour gave an incredible moving speech for her friend. The tribute to Azzedine Alaia was also a lovely way to remember the great designer. Naomi Campbell took to the stage to remember him with other original supermodels, and she spoke beautifully about how he welcomed her into his home at 16 and helped encourage, champion and shape her incredible career.
The red carpet was again filled with talent from all over the industry, and they pulled out all the stops to impress. My personal favourites were Poppy Delevigne in Giambattista Valli and Natalie Massanet who sparkled festive red in Preen by Thornton Bregazzi. Other attendees include Kaia Gerber, Selena Gomez, Irina Shayke, Alexa Chung, Caroline Rush, Millie Mackintosh, Edward Enninful. Julien Macdonald and more.
