Like buses… you wait ages and then three come along all at once
This week we saw three major fashion events all within the space of 36 hours and although it has been busy, we are not complaining. It all started with the British Fashion Awards in London, then off to Austria for Chanel’s Metiers d’Art show in Salzburg, and finally back to London for the Victoria’s Secret fashion show – we can barely keep up.
British Fashion Awards
This year’s awards did not fail to live up to their reputation as being the annual pat on the back for the British fashion industry veterans and newcomers. The awards were bigger than ever this year with 3,000 members of the general public voting for the British Style award and with 2,070 people in the auditorium, this event was one to remember.
With Erdem, Victoria Beckham and Nicolas Ghesquiere being the big winners of the night and JW Anderson yet again winning the menswear award, the night was packed with Britain’s fashion finest talent. The pairings of award givers and receivers proved to be well thought out by the shows organisers as it was Cara Delevingne’s sister Poppy who awarded her ‘Model of The Year’ and Naomi Campbell presenting to long term friend Edward Enninful the ‘Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator’.
“Edward is not only one of my dearest friends and brother” said the model, “but he is also one of the most outstanding people I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”
Finally one of the more interesting pairings was the award Anna Wintour received for Outstanding Achievement presented by John Galliano. With the British Fashion Awards being his first public appearance since his appointment at Margiela and emotions running high, he thanked his “loyal friends” who had supported him through his “highs and lows”. It is however no secret that Anna Wintour has continuously supported Galliano, featuring his clothes in American Vogue when he lacked stockists and after his dismissal from Dior in 2011 it was Wintour who brokered the deal for the designer to work along the late Oscar de la Renta. The whole evening was one of emotions and accolades, however none were particularly surprising.
This show came to life with the exclusive screening of Reincarnation, a short film by Karl Lagerfeld starring Pharrell Williams and Cara Delevingne. The show was set in the decadent Schloss Leopoldskron which was divided into various rooms each as opulent as the last. Chanel featured floral embroidered jackets, tweed knits and wide leg trousers, with accessories also being a hit. We also saw over the knee lace up boots and clusters of lustrous pearls. With the theme fitting so perfectly with the clothes, the outfits shown could be worn anywhere from a country walk to dining out at a fabulous restaurant.
Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
The gorgeous Victoria’s Secret Angels landed in London on the 1st of December and immediately the city was taken over by the hype of the show being staged for the first time in London. The show comprised of 47 models, 10 new faces and with Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima celebrating their 15th appearance we saw them walking the catwalk in two $2 million Dream Angels fantasy bras, each designed using 16,000 rubies, diamonds and sapphires all of which were strung together with 18 carat gold. This year’s show featured musical guests such as Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande all serenading the beautiful Angels as they strutted their stuff down the catwalk, this show did not disappoint.
