British fashion designers triumph at Baftas

The Baftas turned into a triumph for British fashion designers on Sunday night, with the red carpet becoming an extension of the London catwalk. A buoyant British fashion scene, and a desire to pay red carpet tribute to Alexander McQueen, combined to make the Baftas a near-landslide for British fashion.

Burberry, who on Tuesday stage their second catwalk show in London since returning from Milan, underscored their pole position as the most powerful luxury British fashion brand of the moment by dressing nominee Saoirse Ronan as well as A-lister Claire Danes.

A pregnant Sam Taylor-Wood chose McQueen, not previously considered as a go-to choice for maternity wear, as did Jaime Winstone, in a long gown which combined a flowing, Grecian goddess silhouette with harness-style strapping.

Kate Winslet, who when up for gongs last year played it safe by channelling old school Hollywood glamour, this year kicked back with a laid-back-but-sexy Stella McCartney black-and-lace number. Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson both chose gowns by the classic British eveningwear designer Catherine Walker, while Victoria Beckham notched up another red carpet credit when Trudie Styler appeared in a fitted cocktail dress with graphic peplum at the hip.

The breakout stars of the red carpet were Ronan, who radiated an Alice in Wonderland freshness in her creamcake Burberry ruffles, and Romola Garai, who scored fashion points by backing hot London Fashion Week designer Erdem (also a favourite of Sarah Brown).

Flying the flag for Parisian fashion were the British expat Kristin Scott Thomas, in Louis Vuitton, and Audrey Tautou, who, despite being nominated for her role as Coco Chanel, wore a dress by rival label Lanvin.