Fashion Capital

For Two Days, London Was the Fashion Capital of the World

Thanks to the British Fashion Awards, which brought fashion designers and models--including an emotional, fresh-off-the-Victoria's-Secret-runway Gigi Hadid--into town.

Last week, the fashion industry flocked to Paris for the Victoria's Secret fashion show and the Pirelli Calendar gala. But this week, it was all about London, thanks to the British Fashion Awards.

The celebration, this year honoring designer Molly Goddard, Gigi Hadid, Franca Sozzani, Bruce Weber and more--kicked off on Sunday with a traditional British roast. The lunch, which is not to be confused with a comedy routine, was held at the Mayfair private members club Little House. Upon arrival, guests such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Amber Valetta, and Joan Smalls were greeted with a spicy Bloody Mary. 

Man of the moment Jordan Barrett was talking to his fellow models about Christmas plans, while designer Alice Temperley contemplated a toffee sticky pudding with Alexa Chung, and Simone Rocha confessed how nervous she was as one of the nominees (spoiler, she won!). Gurum Gvesalia of Vetements arrived late hand in hand with Miroslava Duma, but not too late for desert. 

That same evening, Lauren Santo Domingo and Dame Natalie Massenet hosted a cocktail party for the nominees in Moda Operandi's pale pink showroom. The guest list was a who's who of today's fashion, including Anya Hindmarch, Nicholas Kirkwood, Emilia Wickstead, Mary McCartney, Tory Burch, Rosie Assoulin, Peter Dundas, and a pregnant Sabine Getty. 

Meanwhile, Donatella Versace presented her new book, Versace, at the Victoria & Albert Museum in front of hundreds of fashion lovers, ranging from the aspirational (lots of students) to the established (stylist Jacob K and writer Suzy Menkes).

Gigi Hadid, Naomi Campbell, and More Celebrated the 2016 British Fashion Awards

Finally, the awards ceremony that everyone was waiting for took place on Monday evening at London's Royal Albert Hall, which was covered in Swarovski crystals for the occasion.

The show had many highlights, but none more emotional than when Donatella Versace presented Gigi Hadid with the International Model of the Year Award. "To Bruce [Weber] and Carine [Roitfeld], who started my career when no one else knew who I was, I can't believe that I'm sitting her with you today," she said, with tears in her eyes. "To everyone, who has been so genuine, and looked beyond what the rest of the world looked for, that has meant so much to me. 

You guys know who I am, and that to me means so much, so thank you for inspiring me, and for teaching me to look beyond - and for being the most amazing industry I could ever ask to be a part of; you guys are a dream come true. So thank you so much."

Weber, too, was in the spotlight. The photographer received the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator by David Bailey and James Jagger. Designer Tom Ford presented Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani with the award for The Positive Change, and Balenciaga's Demna Gvasalia took home the prize for International Ready to Wear Designer of the year award.

After many earnest expressions of mutual admiration, it was time to party. Models Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Edie Campbell, and Adwoa Aboah joined photographer Tim Walker, Molly Goddard (who won the award for British Emerging Talent) and Brandon Maxwell (who had designed Lady Gaga's black dress for the occasion) at the Chiltern Fire House, a London hot spot, to keep the night going.

Milan, it's your move now.