In the first of many highlights of the Green Carpet Fashion Awards night was a moving opening monologue by actress Sophie Okonedo, which served to remind us that while “these are difficult days marked by urgent warnings from the natural world,” we are all connected – “held together by the thread of our shared humanity” – and together we can make a change.

“We’ve witnessed a worn out world catch fire, and a pandemic take life everywhere it goes. We’re seeing with new clarity the ever-present effects of systemic racism,” she said.

“Fashion is a powerful portrait of this thread at work, weaving its way around the world. It’s a story of beauty, which is too often enabled by slave labour, pollution and waste. Tonight, we recognise those who choose to disrupt it: the innovators. The ones who are tirelessly working to refashion the world into something new. Together they prove that we still have time to heal what is broken; we can grow without having to cause damage. We can create something better, and we can create it now.”

Discover other highlights from the night