The British Fashion Awards

The British Fashion Awards: the highlight of the industry's calender, the fashion pack's Christmas party, and most importantly, the British Fashion Council's celebration and recognition of the most influential and talented contributors to the industry. Sitting in the stalls amongst Fashion royalty was, without a doubt, the highlight of our time as fashion bloggers so far. We took a lot from the ceremony, which was thought provoking, inspirational, and filled with applause that couldn't have been more deserved.   

All the glamorous people who shape the fashion industry began to take their seats.



Daisy Knight, a graduate from Central Saint Martin's, showed us her hands and wrists which were covered in her own handmade designs, we especially loved the feather ring, you can find her punky yet delicate creations on net-a-porter.

The black tie dress code was clear around the theatre, our favourite outfit being Henry Holland's quirky suit. Evie wore Christopher Kane for Topshop, and Harriet wore Malene Birger. The Goodiebags contained a mac lipgloss, a small British flag to fly in the name of the British Fashion Awards, and our favourite traditional sweets; flying saucers!

Harold Tillman, Chairman of the British Fashion Council delivering the opening speech.

Nicholas Kirkwood receiving the Best British Accessory Designer award

After receiving the Emerging Talent Award last year Nicholas Kirkwood was in good stead to win the award for being the leading British designer of shoes, jewellery, millinery or accessories within the past year. Other shortlisted nominees were Camilla Skovgaard and Emma Hill for Mulberry. He has designed for Ghost, John Rocha and Rodarte and was recently appointed Creative Director of the The Italian footwear label Pollini

The hiking boot was the biggest footwear trend for Autumn/Winter 2010, and these gorgeous floral boots designed by Nicholas Kirkwood for Erdem make braving the British Weather a most  fashionable affair.
image courtesy of MissB blog



Lara Stone accepting the Model Award

Lara Stone is not scarce of awards, she was photographed as 'The Girl of the Year' in British Vogue and made Number 1 on Models.com's Top 50 list. This time it was due to her success as a leading name in the modelling industry, as over the past year she's certainly made a strong mark on the international fashion scene. Other nominees were David Gandy and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Lara is absolutely stunning, but also showed a sense of humour on a par with her husband, David Walliams', when she made a joke about being compared to Matt Lucas...

Lara Stone changed our catwalks from Louis Vuitton to Chanel in Autumn/Winter 2010 through the celebration of a real woman's silhouette.



Menswear Designer

Patrick Grant collected the Menswear Designer Award for his label E.Tautz

Despite having our fingers crossed for Paul Smith because of his inspiring lecture and Nottingham heritage, we were delighted to see that leading menswear designer Patrick Grant gained the award due the aspect in menswear which E.Tautz excels in; bespoke tailoring. Other shortlisted nominees were Christoper Bailey for Burberry, Margaret Howell and Paul Smith.

E.Tautz A/W '10 mixed military with British traditional wear,  through heritage tweeds and a splash of gold.
image courtesy of londonfashionweek.co.uk



Alexa Chung wearing British designer Osman accepting the British Style Award.



We can safely say when Alexa Chung was announced as winner of the British Style award, it came as no surprise. After becoming Mulberry's brand ambassador and muse, Alexa makes anyone in their right mind want the satchel which is named after her. This award was the only one for which the winner was to be decided by the public, we've seen her popularity first-hand, as when doing 'The Vintage Fair' street style, our question 'Who's style do you admire?' often came with the answer, 'Alexa Chung'.

Alexa Chung is not only a presenter and model, she has even turned designer for Madewell in 2010



Emerging talent - Accessories

The Emerging Talent Award for Ready-to-Wear and Accessories, created two years ago by the British Fashion Council, recognises and financially rewards Designers as they establish their emerging fashion businesses. Husam El Odeh collected the award for Accessories.

Naomi Campbell receiving her award of Special Recognition

Naomi Campbell  was discovered as a model at the age of 15, appeared on her first cover on Elle magazine, and was the first black model to grace the cover of French Vogue . Since then her career has made her one of the most known supermodels in the world. Her speech was touching as she mentioned her dear friend, the late Lee McQueen, and emotionally voiced her pride in all women of colour's mark on the fashion industry.

Naomi Campbell ISSA Spring 2010 one-shoulder leopard print swimsuit. No surprise there; Naomi Campbell has a body of a goddess.

Christopher Bailey for Burberry was presented with the Digital Award, voted by the BFC Digital Committee



From streaming all their catwalk shows since September 2009 and launching its Autumn/Winter 2010 collection as a fully interactive, motion-responsive experience. The Design-a-trenchcoat computer software left everyone in awe of the brand, and desperate for a studded trench with their initials embroided inside.

Let's be honest, Burberry revamped the aviator jacket to create the must-have shearling of the season.

The Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator went to renowned stylist, Nicola Formichetti

A British stylist, make-up artist, photographer, art director or producer whose creativity has been a major inspiration and influence in the past year is chosen to receive the Isabella Blow Award. Other shortlisted nominees were Nick Knight and Rankin.

Stylist Nicola Formichetti

Consultancy for McQueen, image courtesy of Nicolaformichetti.com

The British Brand of the year was awarded to Mulberry.

A leading British designer brand that has excelled and made an impact on the international stage over the past year could be none other than Mulberry. Despite declining sales, Emma Hill has revamped their brand image to a new market, and to celebrate, a new 5,400sqft flagship store on Bond street is opening soon! Also nominated for this award which, caused quite an interesting surprise, was none other than Victoria Beckham, between Pringle of Scotland and Burberry.

Phoebe Philo, french designer for Celine, accepted the award for Designer of the year.

 The ultimate award, which recognises an internationally acclaimed British designer of couture, ready-to-wear, knitwear or accessories who has made a significant impact in the past year both in the UK and internationally was presented to Phoebe Philo. Others nominated were Christopher Kane and Erdem.

 

Clean, minimal silhouettes were seen at Celine for Autumn/Winter 2010. This was essentially one of the most celebrated shows of the season due to it's simple yet feminine look.

BFC OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN FASHION

An award recognising one designer who throughout their career has influenced and inspired the global fashion industry.


To commemorate Lee’s life and celebrate this Award, the ceremony opened with a film featuring Lee’s most iconic pieces directed by Nick Knight, styled by Edward Enninful, all to a soundtrack by Bjork. In less than 10 years McQueen became one of the most respected fashion designers in the world. Alexander Lee McQueen is not shy of winning awards, he has previously won the British Designer of the Year Award four times, his influence on this generation has been celebrated due to his outrageous style on and off the runway.

McQueen is recognised globally for his innovative tailoring and raw energy within his shows. Contrasting all elements of humanity through fragility and strength, tradition and modernity, as well as fluidity and severity. Born in London in 1969, Lee began his fashion career with an apprenticeship at the traditional Saville Row tailors, Anderson and Sheppard. A few years later, he completed a Masters degree in Fashion Design at Central Saint Martins, showing his MA collection in 1992, which was famously bought in its entirety by Isabella Blow.


Everyone in the Theatre was clearly touched by the film, which reminded everyone of the terrible loss that Fashion has faced this year.  

McQueen's last collection in Fall 2010 captures the elegance and dynamic of a fairytale monarchy with the strength and beauty of a swan.

So, there you have it, The British Fashion Awards. We have to pinch ourselves a little bit when we think about how we attended, but it really did make us realise why we're so passionate about what we're doing with Fashionstrand, and what we hope is still to come.