Last night, the Royal Albert Hall was packed with the A-List glitterati of the fashion world who all came together for the highly anticipated 2019 British Fashion Awards by the British Fashion Council (BFC).
Hosting the awards this year was award-winning actress, producer and entrepreneur, Tracee Ellis Ross. Tracee is known for her love of fashion and has spoken about the joy and self-expression she experiences through her fashion choices. “I just wear what makes my heart sing” she told British Vogue when asked about her red-carpet style. Tracee uses her impact to encourage a culture of inclusivity, equality, creativity and self-acceptance in all industries.
Tracee Ellis Ross
The British Fashion Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the creativity and imagination of brands, designers, models and the industry ground breakers. The spirit of the event is to highlight and celebrate fashion with a cause, making it easy to see why Tracee was chosen to host the awards.
“I just wear what makes my heart sing,”
A-List celebrities, high profile designers, models, creatives and media flocked to the British Fashion Awards, everyone fabulously dressed to celebrate the year’s most exceptional and creative fashion talent.
Some of the big winners of the evening included supermodel and philanthropist Naomi Campbell who won the Icon Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the fashion industry as a supermodel, her amazing involvement in advocating for a more diverse and equal future (especially on the African continent) and her incredible philanthropist work. Campbell thanked the women who had become before her.
Naomi Campbell
It was a first for Rihanna, as she won the Urban Luxe Award for her label, Fenty. Rihanna’s brand has certainly taken the fashion world by storm. Her brand has featured on red carpets worn by celebrities such as Cardi B, to sell out drops and Rihanna herself making headlines when wearing her own line. Fenty has become a notable force within the industry. Making a rare public appearance was the gorgeous Janet Jackson who presented the award to Rihanna, saying: “You’re loved for your style, your vocals and your strength as a woman.” She continued: “You’re respected as a successful artist, fashion designer, activist, entrepreneur and for being the first black female [business owner] under LVMH.”
Rihanna and Janet Jackson
“This is for the young women and men who found representation and validation in my work. I want them to never be afraid of dreaming big like I once did.”
Adut Akech was named the BFC’s Model of the Year. The stunning supermodel delivered a powerful acceptance speech that was met with a standing ovation. Instead of thanking the key members of the fashion industry, she used her speech to call for more diversity: “It is important for all of us to remember that someone like me winning the award is a rarity.”
Adut is a 19-year-old Sudanese-Australian model who at seven years old became a refugee.
She went on to say: “This is for the young women and men who found representation and validation in my work. I want them to never be afraid of dreaming big like I once did.”
Adut Akech
Adwoa Aboah who is the BFC Ambassador for Positive Fashion took to the stage to give the NEW WAVE: Creatives 2019 a special mention. The NEW WAVE: Creatives 2019 is a list of 100 of the most creative and ground-breaking talents in the world.
Adwoa Aboah
It wouldn’t be a fashion awards event without an actual fashion show. Showcasing their creativity through the fashion show were the new intake of BA Fashion students. This year in line with their ethos of fashion with a cause, the BFC sponsored the show to allow the students to use sustainably sourced fabrics. Little Simz who’s had a great year with the release of her critically acclaimed album ‘Grey Area’, took to the stage as the opening act.
The British Fashion Awards was a night of glamour and celebration. Tracee summed up the ethos of the event perfectly: “All of us are waking up to the importance of the platform that is here in fashion.”
