Victoria Beckham wins "Best Designer Brand" award
29 November 2011 09:51
Victoria Beckham has beaten off a host of rivals to win a top award at a prestigious British fashion event.
Decked out in a black halter-neck gown, Mrs Beckham overcame stiff competition from rival high-end clothing names Stella McCartney, Tom Ford and Burberry to take the Best Designer Brand prize at the British Fashion Awards.
The event at the Savoy Hotel in central London also saw Sarah Burton, who created the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress and her sister Pippa Middleton's bridesmaid outfit, named Designer of the Year for her work at fashion brand Alexander McQueen.
Previous winners of the honour include the late Alexander McQueen himself, Dame Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano, who was forced to resign from his position as head of Christian Dior after he was caught on camera making anti-Semitic remarks.
Among the glitterati present at the ceremony hosted by George Lamb and Lauren Laverne were British Fashion Council ambassador Samantha Cameron, model Kate Moss and movie stars including Colin Firth and Kate Hudson.
Harold Tillman, chairman of the British Fashion Council, praised all the nominees, saying: "They demonstrate the breadth and creativity London has to offer. The fashion brands and designers that are based here set the trends across the globe."
Another big winner on the night was Stella Tennant, who took the Best Model award home for her work on major campaigns for brands such as Zara, Reed Krakoff, Etro, Chanel and Celine.
Tennant came in ahead of Georgia Jagger, the daughter of Rolling Stone singer Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall, and 46-year-old American-born model Kristen McMenamy.
Alexa Chung received the British Style award, an acknowledgement to the model, presenter and contributing editor at British Vogue magazine's role as ambassador for London fashion.
Veteran designer Paul Smith was awarded for his Outstanding Achievement in Fashion, which recognises the international impact he has had on the fashion industry throughout his career.
And Stella McCartney built on the buzz surrounding her announcement that she will be at London Fashion Week next February by winning the Red Carpet award for the quantity and quality of her designs used at premieres and awards ceremonies.
The mother of four and daughter of Sir Paul McCartney let it be known last week she will be holding a "special fashion presentation" at Somerset House, central London, on February 18 as part of London Fashion Week before showing her 2012 winter collection at Paris Fashion Week in March.
McCartney refused to give much away about the presentation as she walked up the blue carpet tonight, but said she was "excited" to be bringing a new collection to the city's premier fashion event because she is a Londoner.
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