The Fashion Awards 2017: What You Didn't See

IF the British Fashion Council could receive a pound donated to its Education Foundation for every tear shed at last night'sFashion Awards, it would surely be the biggest fundraising body in the world right now. Last night’s Swarovski-crystal-studded evening at the majestic Royal Albert Hall was chock with billboard-worthy names and an impressive roster of talent ripe for celebration. The only surprise? It was the most emotional and tear-stained ceremony yet.

Style At The Fashion Awards 2017

Style At The Fashion Awards 2017

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Who said Brits don’t do sentimental? Certainly not Naomi Campbell, who paid moving tribute to her late Papa, Azzedine Alaïa, along with a coterie of his girls, from Stephanie Seymour to Yasmin Le Bon to Farida Khelfa, all of whom had flown in especially on Campbell’s orders and were outfitted, of course, in battle-ready Alaïa.

Nor Maria Grazia Chiuri, who paid solemn tribute to both Alaïa and the 2016 winner of Chiuri’s award for Positive Change, Franca Sozzani, who sadly passed away in December of last year. Nor Raf Simons, who broke down during his acceptance speech for Designer of the Year for his work at Calvin Klein and had to leave the stage in tears. Nor Dame Anna Wintour, whose voice shook with emotion when she described the extraordinary transformation Burberry has undergone at the hands of Christopher Bailey, honoured with an award for Outstanding Contribution to British Fashion, which he dedicated to his husband Simon and their two little girls, to a collective sigh of contentment from an audience pleased to see British talents being lauded.

The Fashion Awards 2017 After-Parties

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There were plenty of laughs, too. It’s hard not to grin when met with a shimmering Sunny Delight-hued crystal sun at the top of grand red carpeted steps, even if you’re nervously awaiting the announcement of the award for British Emerging Talent, à la Michael Halpern. “I’m pretty chilled about it – it would obviously be amazing but I’m trying not to think about it,” our favourite New York export said as he arrived, chaperoning Vogue cover girl Adwoa Aboah up the stairs in a super fabulous, bottom-skimming iteration of his signature sequin gowns, hand-speckled with 2,000 Swarovski crystals. “I’m more nervous. I feel sick,” said his boyfriend, Sultan, who looked ready to chew his fingers off. “I think I need a drink.” (Update: order more champagne. He won!)