Dresses and calls to ‘Free Palestine’: The 2024 Fashion Awards

The British Fashion Awards, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Monday, brought together some of the most prominent figures in the international fashion industry. The attendees included native Britons, those who’ve adopted a British accent and Irish designers like Jonathan Anderson and Simone Rocha.

Even Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue America, was present. Wintour, who began her fashion career in her hometown of London, returned this week for the West End premiere of the musical “The Devil Wears Prada” – a nod to her well-honed sense of humor.

Wintour presented an Outstanding Achievement Award to fashion designer Tom Ford, praising his “extraordinary eye” and meticulous attention to detail while highlighting his “fearlessness” as a defining trait. In his acceptance speech, Ford thanked Wintour for her longstanding support and shared that London remains the city that inspires him the most.

Recently, Ford moved to London with his 12-year-old son, Jack, after purchasing a lavish Chelsea home for £80 million ($104 million) – the city’s most expensive real estate transaction this year. This follows Ford’s sale of his eponymous brand two years ago for a staggering $2.8 billion to the Estee Lauder Group.

While guests on the red carpet showcased exquisite evening gowns from British designers and fashion houses, the stage was a mix of politics, LGBTQ+ rights and notable fashion talent. Irish designer Simone Rocha, who won the British Fashion Designer of the Year award – partly due to her collaboration with Jean Paul Gaultier – declared during her acceptance speech: “My collections drive my emotions.”

“I’d like to dedicate this award to all displaced women and children,” she added before concluding with the words “Free Palestine.”

Earlier in the evening, American photographer and activist Nan Goldin ended her gratitude speech with a call to “Free Palestine.” Goldin, one of today’s most significant artists, recently opened an exhibition of her works in Berlin. A vocal critic of Israel and the war in Gaza, she received a special recognition award from Gucci in London for the “We Will Always Have London” campaign, starring Debbie Harry.

At the Berlin opening, Goldin – born into a Jewish-American family – said, “My grandparents escaped pogroms in Russia. I was brought up knowing about the Nazi Holocaust. What I see in Gaza reminds me of the pogroms that my grandparents escaped.”

One of the evening’s most deserving wins went to 21-year-old American model Alex Consani. “I’m the first trans woman to win this award,” Consani told the audience, who recognize her from campaigns for Victoria’s Secret, Marc Jacobs, Etro and others.

She expressed gratitude to the trans women who “fought for the space I’m in today,” concluding her speech with a call to “uplift others in the industry.” Consani wore a gown by Turkish-British designer Dilara Findikoglu, who also dressed Julia Fox in a sheer white corset gown with a vintage flair.

Other winners included designer Grace Wales Bonner, who took home the award for menswear designer; fashion photographer Tyler Mitchell, who received the Isabella Blow Award for groundbreaking work; legendary milliner Stephen Jones, awarded accessory designer of the year; Dame Margaret Barbour, celebrated for her popular outdoor brand and Jonathan Anderson, artistic director of Loewe, who won Designer of the Year for the second consecutive time.

“I love fashion, it’s something that gets me out of bed every morning,” Anderson said on stage, giving a nod to Tom Ford: “Whenever something good happens, Tom Ford is in the room.”

Rihanna’s extravagant look showcased the creativity some stars embraced, such as model Naomi Anderson in a theatrical gown by Iris van Herpen. Others opted for more commercial outfits, likely reflecting business collaborations, such as Alexa Chung, who wore a beaded plaid dress and fur coat by Miu Miu, reminiscent of Gwyneth Paltrow in “The Royal Tenenbaums.”

Singer Rita Ora sported bleached eyebrows and a masculine-inspired look – similar to the style from Saint Laurent’s recent runway show – crafted instead by budget-friendly Irish retailer Primark, a favorite among Israelis.

Ora also wore Primark to last year’s event, signaling her intent to prove that chic fashion can be affordable. Similarly, American model Nara Smith stood out in a glittering sleeveless dress from H&M’s Studio line, stressing accessible glamour.