The Fashion Awards 2022 — the UK’s most glamorous event — went big last night. The Royal Albert Hall’s red carpet was rolled out and an explosion of impossible silhouettes and new season designs were out on show.
You’ve probably heard them dubbed Britain’s answer to The Met Gala, and this year the storied ceremony came with added voltage. Parties and celebrations were rightly cancelled during the September’s London Fashion Week, following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, which meant last night the stars doubled-down on extravagance to make up for lost time. “British fashion is so special because no one’s afraid to express themselves and feel themselves in their clothes,” The Serpent actor Ellie Bamber told us on her arrival. This was certainly the case.
Florence Pugh lead the statement making, as she arrived on the arm of Valentino’s creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli chanelling Hollywood glamour in a backless scarlet satin gown complete with voluminous train. Yes, please. She later presented the creative director with the coveted Designer of the Year award.
Piccioli was also joined by Naomi Campbell, who was expectedly striking in a shimmering, silver sequin caped Valentino dress. Bang on trend, her disco-ball dressing swept through SS23’s runways and was well embraced across arrivals. Robert Pattinson’s girlfriend, model Suki Waterhouse, followed suit in a foil effect Alexandre Vauthier couture dress, while Bridgerton’s Simone Ashley and host Jodie Turner Smith both opted for London label 1Arlington’s icy, crystal encrusted column dresses throughout the evening.
Also going boldly into the night was model was American model Winnie Harlow. She looked mythical in a draped, brown look by Iris van Herpen which was vegan and crafted from cocoa beans, while singer FKA Twigs rocked an ombré, grey knit gown by Rick Owens, with shadowed face makeup and a December-appropriate puffer.
Others braved the cold. Lila Moss, hopped on the ‘naked dress’ trend her mother started in the nineties wearing a sheer black style with criss-cross strapping by London label KNWLS, while singer Rita Ora dared to bare in a transparent red and mauve outfit from upcoming Central Saint Martins graduate Nensi Dojaka. Model Jourdan Dunn joined them in a clear top with tattoo style embellishments and a hefty trained black skirt, flown in from Paris label Stephane Rolland.
Simply sleek black looks came from Maya Jama in a strapless Sabina Bilenko frock and overblown Boater hat, Selling Sunset’s Christine Quinn who wore a hip-jutting outfit from rising star couturier Andrea Brocca, and Yasmin Finney, set to be Doctor Who’s next Rose, who wore a sculptural, top-heavy velvet gown by Harris Reed. She told us: “This is a place to show your authenticity, a place to be free.”
Iris Law ditched the new with a 2007 Comme des Garçons lycra look with padded hand motifs, while Heartstopper actor Sebastian Croft came in a cut out, multicolour hexagon vest from JW Anderson’s SS12 collection, sourced on Vestiaire Collective. Most boys kept to basics, though, including Stormzy who was clad in black Burberry head to toe, and actor James McAvoy who wore a midnight blue velvet blazer and bow tie.
Tom Daley added lustre with a knitted mesh jumper covered in diamantés under his dinner jacket, while former One Directioner Liam Payne opted for a classic black tux and black tie and Romeo Beckham chose a double breasted, grey Dior suit with a black tee and subtle brooch.
Surprise guests included this year’s Love Island winning couple take the red carpet; Ekin-Su CülcüloÄlu wore a nude, floral embellished front slit gown, and joined boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti in a silver jacquard blazer and bow-tie.
The evening was hosted by actor Jodie Turner-Smith, who was unmissable in lime green Gucci before changing into flurry of London design’s hottest names including Richard Quinn and Robert Wun.
