A look at the evening and past year where diversity and inclusion has taken centre stage.
Art and Fashion are both intersecting areas and often very exciting, especially when experimented with as at this year’s show.
The 2019 British Fashion Awards took place on Monday 2nd December, returning to London’s iconic venue – The Royal Albert Hall. The annual celebration of creativity and innovation shone a spotlight on exceptional individuals, and businesses, that have made significant contributions to the (global) fashion industry over the past twelve months.
This year’s event was hosted by Golden Globe winning actress Tracee Ellis Ross (mixed•ish) and saw the likes of A$AP Rocky and Cate Blanchett in attendance. Here is a brief of the evening and everything that happened.
With the red carpet rolled out over the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Steps and the temperature plummeting to zero – as guests arrived at the 2019 British Fashion Awards, the swiftest of step-and-repeats was necessary, yet spirits were warmer.
The evening kicked off with its illustrious host proceeding in a Loewe white handkerchief dress (amongst many others throughout the evening) from Jonathan Anderson’s Spring / Summer 2020 Collection, which has received critical acclaim from several publishers including Vogue which has hailed it as his most exquisitely crafted, ready to wear yet. The angelic look, complemented by a giant beaded collar and high heels, set the tone for a night celebrating the best in both British and international fashion on British soil. The East London-based designer Anderson was nominated in four categories for both his work at the Spanish house and his eponymous brand, JW Anderson.
Within the first five minutes of her opening skit, the actress impressed the audience with her queen’s English – summing up Brexit, Marks & Spencer, fish and chips, and Harry Styles. Humour aside, Ross celebrated the power of fashion, beauty, and self-love throughout the awards, making it one for the books. Several guests attended the event including pop-phenomenons Rihanna and Ellie Goulding, as well as the biggest names in fashion such as Giorgio Armani.
Here are the list of winners and nominees of the respected occasion:
Accessories Designer of the Year
Alessandro Michele for Gucci
Daniel Lee for Bottega Veneta – WINNER
Jonathan Anderson for Loewe
Kim Jones for Dior Men
Simon Porte Jacquemus for Jacquemus
Brand of the Year
Bottega Veneta – WINNER
Gucci
Jacquemus
Loewe
Prada
British Designer of the Year Menswear
Craig Green for Craig Green
Grace Wales Bonner for Wales Bonner
Kim Jones for Dior Men – WINNER
Martine Rose for Martine Rose
Riccardo Tisci for Burberry
British Designer of the Year Womenswear
Daniel Lee for Bottega Veneta – WINNER
John Galliano for Maison Margiela
Jonathan Anderson for JW Anderson & Loewe
Richard Quinn for Richard Quinn
Simone Rocha for Simone Rocha
British Emerging Talent Menswear
Ben Cottrell and Matthew Dainty for Cottweiler
Bethany Williams for Bethany Williams – WINNER
Kiko Kostadinov for Kiko Kostadinov
Phoebe English for Phoebe English
Sofia Prantera for Aries
British Emerging Talent Womenswear
Laura and Deanna Fanning for Kiko Kostadinov
Matty Bovan for Matty Bovan
Phoebe English for Phoebe English
Rejina Pyo for Rejina Pyo – WINNER
Rosh Mahtani for Alighieri
Business Leader
Alexandre Arnault for Rimowa
José Neves for Farfetch
Marco Bizzarri for Gucci
Marco Gobbetti for Burberry
Remo Ruffini for Moncler – WINNER
Designer of the Year
Alessandro Michele for Gucci
Daniel Lee for Bottega Veneta – WINNER
Jonathan Anderson for JW Anderson & Loewe
Kim Jones for Dior Men
Miuccia Prada for Prada
Model of the Year
Adesuwa Aighewi
Adut Akech – WINNER
Adwoa Aboah
Kaia Gerber
Winnie Harlow
Urban Luxe
Alyx
Fenty – WINNER
Marine Serre
Martine Rose
Moncler Genius
Fashion Icon
Naomi Campbell
Outstanding Achievement Award
Giorgio Armani
Trailblazer Award
Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator
Sam McKnight
Designers’ Designer Award
Christopher Kane – WINNER
Jonathan Anderson
Margaret Howell
Roksanda Ilincic
Simone Rocha
By Zach Omitowoju