Britain’s style hearts beat for Alexa Chung. The presenter won her second consecutive British Style Award, bestowed based on a public vote, at tonight’s BFAs.
Chung, who wore a sparkle-bodiced Christopher Kane dress and Charlotte Olympia heels to collect her trophy, thanked all the designers in attendance ‘for designing such beautiful clothes, and for sometimes pretending they don’t notice when I steal them. Thanks, Kane.’And, trophy aloft: ‘This is for girls who dress like awkward boys.’
Chung’s appearance was one highlight among many at a glittering awards ceremony often called Britain’s version of a fashion-world Oscars. Before heading into the Savoy Theatre for the awards proper, Victoria Beckham, Marc Jacobs, Kate Moss, Samantha Cameron, Kate Hudson, Livia Firth (squired by real Oscar winner Colin), Olivia Palermo, Caroline Sieber, Josephine de la Baume and Hayley Atwell mingled over champagne in the grand hotel’s foyer.
The event rendered even the most poised attendees nervous. Beckham, nominated for her third BFA, held back tears as she approached the stage to collect the Designer Brand of the Year award from close friend Marc Jacobs. After thanking her team, her parents and her business partner, the designer paid tribute to another close collaborator—her husband. ‘Without David, I wouldn’t have had the courage to do what I am doing,’ she said.
Whilst most presenters proceeded straight to the envelope containing the winner’s name, Kate Hudson had other ideas. After approaching the podium to present Stella McCartney with the Red Carpet Award, Hudson donned reading glasses to share an anecdote about McCartney creating her gown for the 2001 Oscars. That design landed Hudson on every worst dressed list the next morning, but McCartney has kept the actress ranked among the best dressed at events ever since, Hudson described with a smile.
The night’s biggest winner was Sarah Burton, named Designer of the Year at the end of a banner 2011. From designing Kate Middleton’s wedding gown (and Pippa’s bridesmaid dress) to overseeing the record-smashing Savage Beauty exhibition, the Alexander McQueen designer was the favourite in a category that also included Kane and Erdem. ‘This feels like the icing on the cake on a really amazing year,’ Burton said as she collected her award from Samantha Cameron.
Kane received his prize earlier in the evening when Chung presented him with the inaugural New Establishment Award. Despite high spirits over his win, Kane, whose black suit betrayed not a hint of his trademark fluoro or rainbow hues (‘I like to keep it for summer time,’ he said), struck a hard line over the question of whether Chung could keep her dress. ‘We’ll see,’ he said. ‘She’s had enough from me, so I don’t know. She looks ravishing, though.’
The full list of winners:
Emerging Talent Award – Ready to Wear: Mary Katrantzou
Emerging Talent Award – Accessories: Tabitha Simmons
Emerging Talent Award – Menswear: Christopher Raeburn
Accessory Designer: Charlotte Olympia
Menswear Designer: Kim Jones
Designer Brand: Victoria Beckham
Model: Stella Tennant
BFC Outstanding Achievement in Fashion: Paul Smith
Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator: Sam Gainsbury
Red Carpet Award: Stella McCartney
Designer of the Year: Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
New Establishment Award: Christopher Kane
British Style Award: Alexa Chung