Jonathan Anderson takes first prize at the boisterous but chilly Fashion Awards

The British Fashion Council's event of the year, the Fashion Awards, took place on Monday night. And while there were fewer surprises than at many awards ceremonies (many of the awards were announced in advance), there was a big reveal on the night to justify the hype that has built up around the event in recent months.

And the excitement is really there with the red carpet and celebrity guests at this key BFC fundraising event that helps fund much of the work the BFC Foundation does.

The evening was presented by British broadcaster Maya Jama and musical artist Kojey Radical and celebrated 16 awards, decided by an international jury (and also by the public for the Model of the Year Award).

But who took the big prizes? Jonathan Anderson topped the tree for Designer of the Year, both for his work for the JW Anderson label and for Loewe.

Maximilian Davis for Ferragamo took the award for British womenswear designer, while Martine Rose for her eponymous brand took the same title for menswear.

BFC Foundation Designer Award rrecognizes a designer from the BFC Foundation initiative who has had a major impact on global fashion over the past year and this year's winner was Conner Ives.

And the women's fashion award for the new establishment I went to Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena for Chopova Lowena, while for menswear, Bianca Saunders took the title.

Meanwhile, Paloma Elsesser was Model of the Year.

Other awards included those that had already been announced, such as the Valentino recognition; Charlotte Tilbury received a Special Recognition award for her contribution to the fashion industry, Sarah Mower received the same award but for championing the talent of young designers and Sarah Burton for an “outstanding contribution” to the industry.

Other titles included the Posthumous Special Recognition Award for Joe Casely-Hayford; the Cultural Innovator Award for Sam Smith; the pioneer award for Eduardo Enninful; the Pandora Leader of Change Award for Michaela Coel; and the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator gonna Campbell Addy.

As part of Valentino's recognition, there was a fashion show “of 24 of the most iconic red dresses” against a backdrop of An evening at the opera with Valentino, the ballet that was filmed last month in his hometown. Gwyneth Paltrow presented the award to her long-time friend Giancarlo Giammetti.

The British fashion industry also paid tribute to Dame Vivienne Westwood “and her courageous approach to design and activism.”

There were some surprises on the red carpet as celebrities wholeheartedly moved away from the grand and pretty in favor of the shiny, the elegant and the very revealing. But what was perhaps most surprising was the number of barely-there dresses on display on such a cold night in London.

Burberry made an impact on the red carpet, dressing Georgia May Jagger, Neneh Cherry, Kano and Liberty Ross among others… and Cavalli, who wore Lottie Tomlinson, Maja Malnar, Hana Cross, Sophie Hermann and Elarica Johnson. . Meanwhile, Anne Hathaway and Gwyneth Paltrow wore stock Valentino and Simone Ashley also wore Valentino; Iris Law dressed Vivienne Westwood; Mona Tougaard dressed Alaïa; Maya Jama chose Dolce & Gabbana; a makeup-free Pamela Anderson wore a white Stella McCartney pantsuit; Lila Moss was in Nensi Dojaka, Jodie Comer in Victoria Beckham, Alexa Chung in 16Arlington sequins and Sheila Atim in Harris Reed. Adut Akech made an impact in KNWLS custom and Anok Yai also in Ferragamo.

The usual share of high-end fashion was also accompanied by more budget options and industry initiatives. There was even a celebrity dressed by Primark for the red carpet. The fact that it was Rita Ora, who recently launched an exclusive collection for the budget retailer, made it less shocking. Her custom dress will be on sale for just £50 this week in a limited run of 500, although the chrome spikes that decorated her back are not part of the deal.

Another was Suki Waterhouse wearing H&M, while supporting but hugely important industry players watched as Lenzing's flagship textile brand Tencel revealed a collaboration with London designer Patrick McDowell to create a one-of-a-kind bespoke dress for Nicole Scherzinger. made using materials made exclusively from Tencel Luxes filament yarn and its Lyocell fibers.