Written by Lea Dolan, CNN
“London is back,” announced Selling Sunset’s Christine Quinn, whose pre-recorded review video message of the year kicked off the 2022 Fashion Awards on Monday night. “New York is back, Paris is back, Milan is back,” Quinn continued, as viral catwalk moments from fashion houses like Bottega Veneta, Coperni, Tommy Hilfiger flashed across the screens in London’s historic Royal Albert Hall.
The venue’s round arena was lined with tables for celebrity guests like Florence Pugh, Tilda Swinton, Naomi Campbell and Stormzy, who had arrived from a stunning but icy red carpet to attend one of the biggest fashion calendar events of the year.
Model Bella Hadid, who recently made headlines when she sprayed a dress over her body during Paris Fashion Week, walked away with the much-anticipated Model of the Year award, presented by fellow model Ashley Graham.
Bella Hadid’s Coperni spray dress moment at Paris Fashion Week was named the best viral moment of 2022 by fashion search engine Lyst. Credit: Julien De Rosa/AFP/Getty
“Clothes are nothing until the majestic art of the model brings them to life,” Graham said before announcing Hadid’s win over nominees Adut Akech, Quannah Chasinghorse, Paloma Elsesser and Lila Moss.
The diverse group of nominees was seen as a hopeful indicator that the industry may be challenging its previously favored narrow, Eurocentric standards of beauty for something more inclusive: Chasinghorse is an indigenous model and activist, Elsesser is a plus-size model, while Akech is a refugee. from South Sudan.
Model of the Year 2019 and 2022 nominee Adut Akech arrived at the 2022 Fashion Awards wearing a white sequined Nensi Dojaka gown. Credit: Karwai Tang/Image of Wire/Image of Wire
Hadid was unable to receive her award in person because “her body wouldn’t allow it,” said hairstylist Carlos Nazario, who accepted on her behalf (Hadid has spoken publicly about her fight against Lyme disease and her mental health struggles).
In a video message, Hadid thanked her agent Luiz Mattos and her mother Yolanda Hadid, as well as those less visible in the industry. “All of you, my fashion family, were the ones who showed me who I could be and opened my eyes to the things I could do,” Hadid said. “I want to share this award with all the models who show up every day and work hard with little to no recognition. I know it’s not easy and I see you. I’m such a small part of a big vision and every person and every project is so important as the next one. This award is for all of us.”
Florence Pugh presented the Designer of the Year award to Pierpaolo Piccioli for Valentino. Credit: Kate Green/BFC/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for BFC
Pierpaolo Piccioli, who has been Valentino’s creative director since 2016, took home the Designer of the Year award, a category that previously included Balenciaga’s Denma, until his name (he only appears for the former) was removed from the list. list of nominees below. widespread criticism of two controversial ad campaigns launched last month. Demna was not present at the event.
Best Independent British Brand was awarded to Wales Bonner and the BFC Foundation Award went to SS Daley. In a sign of the times, Burberry received a new award for Metaverse World and Gaming Experience with specific credit given to the label’s collaborations with games like Minecraft and Blankos Block Party.
Another of the Model of the Year nominees, Lila Moss, inaugurated the ‘Fashion Salute’ tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. Credit: Gareth Cattermole/BFC/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for BFC
Elsewhere in the evening, the celebrations turned into commemorations with another industry tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September of this year. After a performance by the Queen’s Royal Hussars, the ring carpet at the Royal Albert Hall became a catwalk as every designer on the London Fashion Week calendar sent in a glimpse of his latest collection. After a brief interlude of the Sex Pistol’s “God Save the Queen,” the tribute concluded with a short but somber bagpipe recital.
Source: news.google.com