The 2018 edition of the British Fashion Council’s annual celebration was the biggest yet
As the end of the year approaches, last night the British Fashion Council looked back on some of the moments in fashion that defined 2018 via its annual Fashion Awards. Featuring a roster of winners and red carpet full of basically every fashion name you could imagine, here’s what went down.
2018 WAS THE MOST STAR-STUDDED AWARDS EVER
Seriously. Last year’s event was big – remember Miss Piggy in custom Saint Laurent on the red carpet? – but this year’s Awards had basically everyone. Lana Del Rey, Kate Moss, Virgil Abloh, Uma Thurman, Miuccia Prada, Aquaria, Vivienne Westwood and Andreas Kronthaler, Kim Jones, Brooke Shields, Lil Miquela, Kaia Gerber, and Kendall Jenner. MVP goes to Alek Wek, who co-hosted the event and appeared in no fewer than four different outfits.
THERE WERE MORE WINNERS THAN EVER
After the introduction of the Urban Luxe Award last year – snatched up by Virgil Abloh’s Off-White for the second year running – the BFC introduced another new category for the 2018 event, making it the biggest ever. Kim Jones picked up the first ever Trailblazer Award following his debut as artistic director at Dior Men this year.
IT WAS A NIGHT OF FIRSTS
While there were return winners like Craig Green (British Menswear Designer), Gucci’s Alessandro Michele (Brand of the Year), and Demna Gvasalia (Accessories Designer), there were plenty of first-time winners too. Clare Waight Keller took home British Womenswear Designer for her work at Givenchy, and Richard Quinn won in the Emerging Womenswear category. Elsewhere, A-COLD-WALL*’s Samuel Ross won the Emerging Menswear Designer Award and Kaia Gerber was announced as Model of the Year. Finally, Miuccia Prada took home the Outstanding Achievement trophy for her outstanding contributions to fashion, naturally.
THE NEXT GEN WERE CELEBRATED
Along with the fashion heavyweights, the BFC ushered in what it dubbed ‘New Wave: Creatives’. Among this group of 100 upcoming talents were the likes photographers Tyler Mitchell, Joshua Woods, Thurstan Redding, Campbell Addy, Kristin-Lee Moolman, gal-dem founder Liv Little, make-up artist Lucy Bridges, Peggy Gou, and models Wilson Oryema and former cover star Fran Summers. With a focus on the future, the New Wave talent hails from all over the world and are set to take over the industry – watch this space.
THERE WAS A FOCUS ON SAVING THE PLANET
Aside from all the festivities, there was a strong sustainability message at this year’s awards. For its efforts to reduce plastic pollution and collaboration with adidas, Parley for the Oceans picked up the Special Recognition Award for Innovation. Finally, Vivienne Westwood – winner of this year’s Swarovski Award For Positive Change – delivered an important message about the changes that need to be brought to both the industry and the world at large to make it a better place for everyone.
JEFFERSON HACK AND KATIE GRAND THREW THE AFTER PARTY
The founders of Dazed and LOVE joined forces to celebrate Miuccia Prada’s win, taking over the Scotch of St James for an after party. While Mrs Prada held court upstairs, downstairs the dancefloor was packed with everyone from designer Simone Rocha to model Maxim Magnus, sporting a newly-buzzed buzzcut. Aweng took over the @dazedfashion Instagram stories for the occasion, and the likes of Vivienne and Andreas, Kendall Jenner, and Blondey McCoy also put in appearances.