Rihanna, Brits, and Legacy

Rihanna, draped in a sweeping cerulean masterpiece from Christian Lacroix’s archives, complete with a dramatic hat reminiscent of Vermeer, turned heads at the annual Fashion Awards. Yet, despite her show-stopping look and A$AP Rocky’s starry presence (and award for "Cultural Innovator"), it was a night for British and Northern Irish talent to shine.

Dame Margaret Barbour, synonymous with the iconic Barbour jacket, received a Special Recognition Award, a testament to her enduring influence on British fashion. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s Jonathan Anderson claimed Designer of the Year for his transformative work at Loewe, revamping the Spanish brand into a global powerhouse with an enviable roster of celebrity ambassadors like Sir Anthony Hopkins and Daniel Craig.

In a rare emotional moment, Vogue’s Dame Anna Wintour removed her signature sunglasses to honor Tom Ford with the Outstanding Achievement Award. Overcome with emotion, she praised Ford’s resilience in balancing his creative genius with his role as a single father after the loss of his husband. “Tom is an extraordinary designer and a great filmmaker but he has emerged as a remarkable father,” Wintour said, her voice breaking.

Other highlights included Stephen Jones, a punk-era milliner turned couture visionary, winning Accessories Designer of the Year, and Simone Rocha, recognized for her modern approach to British womenswear. Grace Wales Bonner took home the British Menswear Designer Award, and Sophia Neophitou-Apostolou was celebrated for her innovative contributions to fashion publishing.

While the red carpet lacked the gravitas of the Met Gala and was somewhat diluted by reality television personalities, the night’s winners reaffirmed Britain’s lasting legacy in global fashion. Sometimes, the simple reliability of a Barbour coat says more about British ingenuity than any avant-garde experimentation.