With each passing year, the BAFTAs becomes more international, with a star-studded line-up of celebrities, directors, and the good and the great convening at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
A gusty February evening in London is the traditional backdrop for the British Academy of Film and Television Awards, hosted by the perennially entertaining Stephen Fry. This year, the ceremony was dominated by the success of Alejandro González Iñárritu’s The Revenant starring Leonardo DiCaprio, which didn’t give much chance for gem-spotting, but leading lady of the red carpet Cate Blanchett provided a bright flash of diamonds. Elegant and poised in her lavishly embroidered Alexander McQueen gown, Blanchett wore a cascade of diamonds in her lobes and a wrist swathed in yet more diamonds, courtesy of Tiffany’s Blue Book jewellery collection.
Kate Winslet, who won Best Actress in a Supporting Role in Steve Jobs, was queen of the night and, during her heartfelt acceptance speech, her David Morris Morning Dew chandelier earrings with almost 16cts of diamonds and a stack of bracelets on her wrist, shimmered in the limelight. Winslet’s diamond load totalled approximately 60cts, which she wore with great panache in her curve-enhancing Antonio Berardi fish-tail gown. Longtime fan of the London jeweller, Winslet has often been seen wearing this Bond Street jeweller’s creations.
The Geneva jeweller Chopard was the choice of Julianne Moore, who while presenting the award for Leading Actress, wore Chopard earrings with an impressive load of 41cts of emeralds, and a butterfly diamond ring, all from the house’s Red Carpet collection. The bright green of the emeralds was a stylish match with her sleek white and black Armani Privé gown, as she opened the golden envelope and handed the award to Brie Larson, despite suffering from laryngitis.
Another notable Chopard wearer was Brooklyn star Saoirse Ronan who was nominated for the Leading Actress role. Her three-tier necklace of sugar-sweet coloured sapphires totalling 275cts was the most daring jewellery choice of the night, and was one of the few flashes of colour, along with her sparkling Burberry floral-embellished gown.
Other notable jewellery moments were Emilia Clarke’s Tiffany diamond and platinum cluster earrings, and Annabelle Wallis’ ruby and diamond Chopard earrings. Michael Fassbender, who was nominated for Leading Actor for his role as Steve Jobs, wore a 1937 Chopard watch in rose gold from the L.U.C. collection. American model Dree Hemingway chose David Morris yellow diamond earrings to go with her bold, bright red, floral Gucci dress.
And now onto the mystery of Julie Walters missing Diamond Leaf earring by Star Diamond. The esteemed British actress lost one of her large, leaf-shaped diamond earrings, of just over 22cts set in purple titanium and white gold, during the ceremony. As she collected the award for Best British Film wearing only one of the pair, she confessed that the jewels were on loan and worth the price of her house. Thankfully it has now been found.
Read more about the BAFTAs red carpet jewellery
