The venue’s round arena was filled with tables for celebrity guests including Florence Pugh, Tilda Swinton, Naomi Campbell and Stormzy who had all filed in from a glitzy but freezing cold red carpet to attend one of the biggest fashion calendar events of the year.
Model Bella Hadid — who recently made headlines when a dress was sprayed onto her body during Paris Fashion Week — scooped up the highly anticipated Model of the Year prize, presented by fellow model Ashley Graham.
Bella Hadid’s Coperni spray-on dress moment at Paris Fashion Week was named top viral moment of 2022 by fashion search engine Lyst. Credit: Julien De Rosa/AFP/Getty
“Clothes are nothing until they are brought to life by the majestic craft of the model,” said Graham 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 might be challenging its previously favored narrow, eurocentric beauty standards 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.
Adut Akech, Model of the Year 2019 and nominee for 2022, arrived at the Fashion Awards 2022 in a Nensi Dojaka gown with white sequins. Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage/WireImage
In a video message, Hadid thanked her agent Luiz Mattos and her mother Yolanda Hadid, as well as those less visible in the industry. “You all, 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 of the models who show up every single day, and work hard with little or no recognition. I know it’s not easy and I see you. I am such a small part of a huge vision, and every person and every project is just as important as the next. 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
Best Independent British Brand was given to Wales Bonner and the BFC Foundation Award went to S.S. Daley. As a sign of the times, Burberry was presented with a new award for Metaverse World and Gaming Experience with specific credit given to the label’s collaborations with games such as Minecraft and Blankos Block Party.
Another Model of the Year nominee, Lila Moss, opened the ‘Fashion Salute’ tribute for Queen Elizabeth II. Credit: Gareth Cattermole/BFC/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for BFC
