Ever since Princess Diana out-fashioned everyone at the inaugural Fashion Awards in 1989 in her “Elvis dress”, the annual event has been known for hosting some truly splashy, frequently unpredictable red-carpet looks. From Naomi Campbell’s thigh-high royal blue Vivienne Westwood socks and heels in 1993, to that time Alexander McQueen showed up in a denim jacket and a polo shirt in 1997, the best-dressed attendees are usually the ones who opt for something unexpected.

The Fashion Awards 2024, which again took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London, did not disappoint. From Rihanna causing a commotion in thick pelts of teal Christian Lacroix fuzz alongside A$AP Rocky in Bottega Veneta, to Alexa Chung in head-to-toe Miu Miu and Caroline Polachek in darkly ethereal McQueen, it was one for the books in terms of red-carpet fashion.

Best dressed of the night Caroline Polachek gave Vogue an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at her McQueen dress.

Ronan Park

Which was from Seán McGirr’s banshee-inspired spring/summer 2025 collection.

Ronan Park

Indeed, it was Polachek who lifted the lid on the detail involved in creating a Fashion Awards-worthy look. “I fell in love with this McQueen gown when I saw how it moved – it was like an animal, sort of like hair or feathers, but much lighter than either,” she told Vogue. “I love that they achieved this uncanny feeling not by using new materials, but actually by hand-brushing fabric until it turned into a silken cloud. Seán [McGirr] and I have something fundamental in common in our work, which is that we’re looking to reconcile mythology and romanticism with the texture of modern life.” For McGirr, it was a pleasure to dress the performer in his spring/summer 2025 collection, which was inspired by the idea of the banshee. “There’s a toughness and at the same time a romanticism in Caroline that really connects her to this spirit,” he added.

Scroll down to see 14 exceptional Fashion Awards 2024 looks that deserve a closer look.