On Monday night at the annual British Fashion Awards, British fashion leaders were feeling an immense amount of love and gratitude. They offered up more than the average thank you’s to mother’s, fathers, siblings and children. The entire celebration of creative achievement, industry and one’s hardworking colleagues became a big thank you to relatives and old friends. John Galliano, who handed Anna Wintour her Outstanding Achievement Award at the London Coliseum, said the seasoned editor “reached out to me when I had become an outcast. No words can express my gratitude to her.” Wintour took the stage a few minutes later and ended her speech in a tearful voice, proclaiming that her children were by far her greatest achievement.
Erdem Moralioglu, Canadian-born, won the biggest prize: Women’s Wear Designer of the Year. He thanked his sister for allowing him to dress her Barbies and his father for accepting the fact that he’d never, ever be a hockey player. Victoria Beckham gained the Brand of the Year award and gave thanks to her parents who were seated in the audience.
Men’s Wear Designer winner, Jonathan Anderson wrote a speech after his father convinced him that it would exercise his brain. The New Establishment winner Simon Rocha, dedicated a few words of thanks to her “beautiful parents Odette and John.”
Poppy Delevigne gave the most tear-jerking tribute of the evening to her little sister, Cara who won Model of the Year. She recalled Cara, at age four, in the bathtub, expressing a desire to be Claudia Schiffer. Other award winners included Nicholas esquire for International Designer of the Year; Alexander McQueen for Red Carpet, and Preen which accepted the Establishment award, given to designers or labels that have built solid, endurable businesses.
The emerging women’s wear designer prize went to Marques’ Almeida, while the men’s version of the prize went to Craig Green. Prism won for emerging accessory designer.
Also, Emma Watson received the prize for British style, while Louis Vuitton won for Creative Campaign. Edward Enninful happily walked home with the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator. Photographer Chris Moore also received special recognition.
Award presenters included Kate Moss, who gave the Red Carpet prize; Naomi Campbell; Charlotte Gainsbourg; Kylie Minogue; Harry Styles; Michelle Dockery, and Lewis Hamilton.
– Sia’ Richards
Source & Photos: WWD
