This year’s ELLE Style Awards mark the 25th anniversary of the magazine and Editor-in-Chief Lorraine Candy will make her hosting debut, alongside the lovely Henry Holland.
The ELLE Style Awards (newly sponsored by Next) have the reputation of being ‘the fashion Oscars’, but I reckon they’re the rebellious, bad gal cousin of the red carpet snooze-athons. With not a floor length, chiffon Elie Saab dress in sight, the ELLE Style Awards are a fashion magpie’s dream and there’s always some naughty behaviour and gossip from the night – last year courtesy of Mickey Rourke, who tried it on with Thandie Newton.
Last year’s awards saw Hollywood misfits Courtney Love and Mickey Rourke pick up Woman of the Year and Best Actor – a formidable and brave choice for ELLE, given their turbulent lives. On the fashion side, Lara Bohinc, Rupert Sanderson, Peter Pilotto, Erdem and Christopher Kane all scooped prestigious awards, with Style Visionary going to Viktor & Rolf and Stephen Jones being recognised for his Outstanding Achievement.
This year, Naomi Campbell is being honoured with an Outstanding Contribution award for her 25th year in the fashion industry and for her role as Global Ambassador of the White Ribbon Alliance.
So, who is going to bag all of the prizes this year? Any guesses? I’m placing my bets on Georgia Jagger for the Model award, Carey Mulligan for Actress, Alexa Chung for Style Icon, Nicholas Kirkwood for Accessories Designer, Hannah Marshall for New Designer and Jonathan Saunders for British Designer. If I get at least one designer right, I think I should treat myself to one of their pieces to celebrate!
Oh yes, and more ELLE-related news – they have just launched a new horoscopes application for the iPhone. You can now get free daily astrological updates from ELLEuk.com’s resident astrologers, The Saturn Sisters.
As a horoscope sceptic, I’m hoping that ELLE will follow this with a fashion-based app, for when I finally get round to trading in my knackered old Blackberry for the phone of my dreams.
The ELLE Style Awards will take place on 22 February at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London.