The first Monday in December is always a highlight on the fashion calendar with the British Fashion Awards at the Royal Albert Hall. It’s the night that fashion designers parade their stunning designs, stylists scramble for the best-dressed look, and celebrities are out in full force. And this year didn’t disappoint!
Olivia Buckingham attends the British Fashion Awards in London’s Royal Albert Hall wearing new arrivals adorned in gold crystals
Olivia Buckingham attends the British Fashion Awards in London’s Royal Albert Hall wearing new arrivals adorned in gold crystals
I was a guest of the delightful Mona Patel, an Indian entrepreneur who has become a prominent name on the best-dressed lists globally, from the Met Gala to the BFA’s. Mona Patel’s passion for haute couture and philanthropy runs deep. As the founder of Couture For Cause, she skillfully blends high fashion with social impact, raising over $500,000 for nonprofits focused on girls’ education and empowerment worldwide. Now based in New York, she continues to channel her passions into meaningful, global change. Mona wore an archival Christian Lacroix 1996 corset, sourced by Law Roach, and it is a true testament that great design is forever! “It needed a moment in the fashion world to appreciate and understand this beautiful and historic piece,” says Mona.
My host for the evening Mona Patel wearing vintage Lacroix sourced by Law Roach
The Fashion Awards, hosted by Maya Jama, are the annual fundraising event hosted by the British Fashion Council, and this year, were sponsored by Pandora. A series of special awards were handed out on Monday night, with Tom Ford being honoured with the Outstanding Achievement Award, presented to him by Anna Wintour. American photographer Tyler Mitchell was the recipient of the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator. He rose to fame after shooting Beyoncé for the cover of American Vogue. I had the pleasure of styling actress Yvonne Orji in Robert Wun couture, who presented Issa Rae with the Pandora Leader of Change Award.
As a huge fan of Barbour (living in London, I don’t think there’s one person who doesn’t own one of their distinctive outerwear jackets!), I was so happy to witness Margaret Barbour receive a Special Recognition Award. Barbour has also undertaken high-profile collaborations with Erdem and Alexa Chung, who presented her with the award.
Style icon Alexa Chung presenting Margaret Barbour with the Special Recognition Award
Photo: Karolina Wielocha
Style icon Alexa Chung presenting Margaret Barbour with the Special Recognition Award
Photo: Karolina Wielocha
Gucci received a Special Recognition Award for the brand’s Cruise 2025 “We Will Always Have London” campaign. Debbie Harry, who featured in the campaign, also performed her iconic song “Heart of Glass” and got everyone up on their feet to dance the night away.
The accolade, presented at the Royal Albert Hall on December 2, acknowledges the House’s long-standing relationship with British creativity and its cultural influence. The campaign, shaped by Creative Director Sabato De Sarno and brought to life through the lens of Nan Goldin, encapsulates London’s pulse
Photo: Karolina Wielocha
The accolade, presented at the Royal Albert Hall on December 2, acknowledges the House’s long-standing relationship with British creativity and its cultural influence. The campaign, shaped by Creative Director Sabato De Sarno and brought to life through the lens of Nan Goldin, encapsulates London’s pulse
Photo: Karolina Wielocha
The iconic Debbie Harry, dressed in Gucci, performed her legendary song “Heart of Glass,” bringing the entire Royal Albert Hall to their feet
Photo: Karolina Wielocha
The iconic Debbie Harry, dressed in Gucci, performed her legendary song “Heart of Glass,” bringing the entire Royal Albert Hall to their feet
Photo: Karolina Wielocha
After a night celebrating fashion, it didn’t end at the awards—we headed off to the Dave Chappelle after-party at Chiltern Firehouse—and what happens at Chiltern stays at Chiltern.
Till next year!
