Stella McCartney is Britain’s top fashion designer this year, or so say the judges at the British Fashion Awards last night in London. Ms. McCartney won top honors at the stylish celebration, held at Lawrence Hall in Westminster, but she had plenty of company in the evening’s other winners. This year also marked the first year that the Isabella Blow award for best fashion creator was bestowed; it is named, of course, for the mesmerizing English fashion muse who committed suicide last spring at the age of 48. Michael Howells was the recipient of that award, which was presented by Philip Treacy, the famed how-the-hell-does-that-thing-stay-on hat designer, and Ms. Blow’s widower, Detmar Blow, an art dealer. Mr. Howells is best known for the backdrops he creates for John Galliano and Christian Dior runway shows.

Find the rundown of other winners after the jump.  read more »

It was nearing 7 p.m. on the evening of Feb. 6 when stately,  read more »