Tracee Ellis Ross Hosts The Fashion Awards In A Riot Of Florals & Sequins

“Hosting is like having the best seat at the party,” Tracee Ellis Ross told Vogue ahead of the Fashion Awards 2019. “I get to be at the centre of this room filled with some of my favourite designers, and first and foremost, I get to wear great clothes.”

The Black-ish actor kicked off proceedings with a Loewe white handkerchief dress from Jonathan Anderson’s spring/summer 2020 collection, which Vogue hailed his most exquisitely crafted ready-to-wear edit yet. The fresh look, complemented by a beaded collar, set the tone for a night celebrating international fashion talent on British soil. East London-based Anderson was nominated in four categories for both his work at the Spanish house and his eponymous brand, JW Anderson.

Next up, Ellis Ross and her “joyous stylist” Karla Welch looked to Peckham-based Richard Quinn for a multi-coloured floral-printed cape dress with Swarovski crystal neckline and cuffs. The trippy spring/summer 2020 design chimed with Ellis Ross’s mantra of wearing looks that make her heart sing. “Clothing for me started out as armour and now it’s truly a form of creative expression,” she explained. Quinn, likewise, said in his collection notes that his shows should be “a fashion sanctuary, where we can all come and celebrate.” The master of pattern, who was nominated for British Womenswear Designer of the Year, met his sartorial match in Ellis Ross.

An opulent Erdem gown with a magnified silhouette followed. The tiered creation, realised in rich green and black textiles and topped off with a wide-brimmed hat, was the embodiment of Ross’s style: always larger-than-life, but never not underlined with the quiet confidence that comes with knowing what works for her.

To the disco! A Gucci silver gown dripping in sequins set the mood for the myriad after-parties on the horizon. The Studio 54-inspired look made way for Simone Rocha’s blood-red paillettes and a new silhouette for the London Fashion Week star. The dress that balloons at the body and gathers at the knee brought a splash of festivity into the mix.

A brief sojourn into tailoring territory ensured that Ellis Ross had all bases covered. As she said on the red carpet, “I think the best part [about the change happening] is that all of us are waking up to the importance of [fashion as a] platform.” We have a feeling she might be called back to resume her duties next year.