It’s the most fashionable time of the year — and there is reason it is more fun inside the Royal Albert Hall ceremony than your Oscars, BAFTAs and the likes: photographer access is strict and this show isn't televised. Translation: there’s no camera fixed on a close crop on Gwyneth Paltrow's face, hoping to catch an eye roll, nor is anyone recording Anne Hathaway popping the cork of another champagne.
The latter was a familiar sight amongst guests, as bottles of Moët & Chandon (the awards’ official champs sponsor) really did deck the halls — from magnums right the way down to the mini Moët synonymous with the 90s supermodel set. As such, it was Moët’s table at Monday night’s Fashion Awards that was most lively: see Alexa Chung, glistening in her 16Arlington, mermaid-meets-armour gown alongside its designer Marco Capaldo. Lily James snuggled up to the pair in a Miu Miu frock, whilst award nominees Foday Dumbuya, of Labrum, and Saul Nash chatted with Harry Styles’ stylist Harry Lambert, and ES Magazine’s very own editor, Ben Cobb.
