Best of the Baftas

The Bafta's proved themselves to be a remarkably star-studded event this year, with a notable Hollywood turn out (probably due to the appearance by Prince William we assume..)
However it was also an understandably more subdued affair, with many actors and actresses sticking to classic black attire. Tuxedos and floor length understated black dresses were seen throughout the night, in respect for the late great Phillip Seymore Hoffman, who tragically passed away earlier this month. Throughout the ceremony there was quite a few tears shed, most notably by Cate Blanchett who took the Bafta for Best Actress for her role as a neurotic Manhattan socialite, who falls from grace and winds up homeless; in Blue Jasmine - directed by Woody Allen. Blanchett, by all means courteously snubbed Woody Allen in her acceptance speech (amid his current media controversies regarding claims of abuse from his daughter Dylan Farrow) emotionally dedicating her Bafta to, as she affectionally put - her 'buddy' Hoffman.

The British take over: director Steve McQueen won various awards for his profoundly powerful film, 12 Years a Slave, including Best Film; with his leading man Chiwetel Ejiofor another fellow Londoner; taking home Best Actor for his eye opening role as Solomon Northup in the same
film. London based Alfonso Cuaron also took home the Bafta for Best Director for his space epic, Gravity - providing the audience with a little bit of humour in his acceptance speech.

As far as I am concerned, if there was an award for best turned out cast it would have to go to 12 Years. All eyes were on Angelina Jolie and Lupita Nyong'o for their equally daring Bafta style choices.
Jolie, who was accompanying Brad Pitt for his role as producer on 12 Years, looked downright adorable with her beau Brad in matching his (Valentino) and her (YSL) fitted tuxedos. Jolie styled her look with black patent heels and her signature smokey eye, reminding everyone that us ladies can look just as exquisite in a sleek and perfectly accessorised suit, while still wearing the trousers - quite literally. One of my favourite press shots of the whole evening was the intimate, yet public exchange between Angie & Brad as she tweaked his bow-tie on the red carpet. If Jolie was the epitome of understated sex appeal, then Nyong'o was the epitome of show stopping glamour, catching our attention yet again for her bold, bright and vivacious dress choices. Dressed in a superbly eye catching emerald green Dior Couture, silk strapless gown with gold accessories. We applaud her for daring to go bright and injecting some, much needed - pow into the muted event, especially when her peers all seemed adhere to a rather at times dull pallet.