British (and international) fashion’s great and good gathered last night to see who’d pick up the top prizes at the BFAs.

As it happened, JW Anderson’s Jonathan Anderson walked off with both the men’s and women’s prize, Alessandro Michele of Gucci was top international designer, Charlotte Olympia was the winner in accessories and …. Oh hang on, this is getting boring.

What we all want to know is – who wore what? So, with that in mind, this is my very personal view of who looked best. I’m not going to list the worst-dressed (and there were some real horrors) as I’m not into online trolling. Let’s keep things positive folks.

Favourite Look: Arizona Muse in Ralph & Russo

This could also have been called Best Crop Top. The richness of the top contrasted with the wide, heavy silk-but-oh-so-simple skirt worked perfectly. The Old Hollywood hair (think Grace Kelly) was the icing on the cake.

Best Thigh Slash: Daisy Lowe in Giles

It’s a tough look to carry off – making sure people notice the slash without ‘doing an Angelina’. But it works. It helps that the dress would look good even without that slash and I love the dark, shadowy print.

Best Display of Flesh Without Going too Far: Jourdan Dunn in Mugler

There was a little too much side boob and too many big pants on show yesterday. But model of the year Dunn showed how to do it with strategic cutouts, a thigh slash and an almost-non-existent back without revealing anything her mum wouldn’t want her to.

Best Use of Embellishment: Karlie Kloss in Chanel

I’m not a Chanel fan (usually) but I love the simplicity of this one with its Paisley patterned lace and simple embellished bands.

Best Slip Dress: Malaika Firth in Topshop

OK, there weren’t many slip dresses on show but this one has to take the prize for daring (and on such a cold night too). Nice to see something on the red carpet that teens and 20-to-30-somethings might have a chance of wearing too.

Sexiest Dress: Riley Montana in Balmain

The great thing about this Balmain collection is that it offers up sex without showing too much flesh (note the modesty-preserving slip from bust to thigh). It’s also great because it taps into the key crochet trend for SS16.

Best Trompe L’Oeil: Salma Hayek in Gucci

The SS16 Gucci collection was a huge hit last runway season and Alessandro Michele’s fun trompe l’oeil beading made a big impact.

Best Non-Boring Black Dress: Kate Beckinsale in Vionnet

Black dresses are red carpet stalwarts but can be a little dull. No risk of that with this one as the combination of draped silk and low-key cutouts work beautifully.

Best Shoulder Display: Yasmin Sewell

Style.com’s latest executive hire rocked the bare shoulder trend without making it look like her dress was falling off, a feat not everyone achieved last night.

Best Back View: Georgia May Jagger in Gucci

From the front it was deceptively simple and made you do a double-take before you realised she was wearing a flesh-toned under-dress. From the back, the heavily embellished snake made it a perfect example of fashion craft. Not sure I’d like to risk doing the zip up in a hurry though.

Best Power Colour: Roksanda Ilincic and Lady Gaga in Tom Ford

Love it or loathe it, shocking pink is a fashion driver for SS16. Roksanda in her own design showed this is the best way to wear it – with dark hair and über confidence. And don’t forget power red. Lady Gaga chose a Tom Ford gown that was pretty simple but couldn’t be missed.

Best Hollywood-Style Glamour: Gwendoline Christie in Vivienne Westwood

When you’re as statuesque as Christie, you need fashion that makes an impact and this Westwood dress certainly does that.

Best Dressy-Casual Combo: Martha Ward

The stylist chose a dress that combined delicate layers of silk and some striking details with a casual top that felt like one of the most comfortable looks on the night – as well as one of the most striking ones.

Best Short Skirt on the Red Carpet: Elisa Sednaoui in Mary Katrantzou

Short skirts don’t always work on a red carpet graced by sweeping gowns and power statements. But this one does. It feels formal enough but with a relaxed, contemporary edge that’s underscored by the soft, wavy hairstyle.

Best way to Keep Warm on a Cold Night: Katie Grand

It may be oversized sequins and exotic leather but Grand’s look is basically a coat and boots. Can’t be beaten for a red carpet on a chilly evening in London.

Best Way to Wow Without a Dress: Victoria Beckham, Liv Tyler and Charlotte Simone

Say what you like but you can’t beat a slim-cut tux and pants. Add accessories or keep it simple. Either way, it’s the best method to wow on red carpets, at parties and even in the office.

Proof That Age and Style Can Go Hand in Hand: Joan Burstein

What can I say? The woman who virtually invented British multibrand luxury retail single-handedly always looks cool.

 

Pictures courtesy: British Fashion Council/British Fashion Awards 2015