Katerina Perez: Red Carpet BAFTA Awards Experience with Atelier Swarovski

For three years now, Atelier Swarovski has been the official jewellery sponsor of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. This year, influencers from various facets of social media were invited to join the nominees - but only after they had visited Paul Edmonds pop up salon to have their hair styled, been treat to a makeover in the Lancôme suite, and been wined and dined in a fine restaurant, knowing they would be spending the night in a luxurious room of the Savoy. These chosen influencers would be made to feel like Hollywood stars at the BAFTAs.

The saying ‘people meet through the clothes they wear’ made me think seriously when choosing a dress for occasion. Fortunately, a month before the BAFTAs I met stylist Vladi Villa at Paris Fashion Week, who – after hearing the plea of every woman in this situation - “I have nothing to wear” – offered suggestions for several designer dresses that could be hired. However, I wanted to wear something by brands I am already very familiar with.

Several companies responded immediately to my request and were ready to provide me a dress for the BAFTAs, but there was a catch: it could only be chosen from the standard sample size. So as for my dream of breaking out onto the red carpet in Christian Dior? The proposed dress, sewn to fit the model, wasn’t the right size. Literally a week before the BAFTAs, I turned to my friend Mariana Wehbe – owner of a PR agency in Lebanon – who organised the delivery of several extravagant full-length dresses by fashion designer Hussein Bazaza. However, BAFTA decided upon a black dress code in support of the Time’s Up campaign to protest sexual harassment and gender inequality, and I was unable to wear the colourful dresses that had been provided.

Of course, the most exciting moment was stepping onto the red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall, where I would be photographed by dozens of cameras. Just imagine; for several years now I have been covering the jewellery at the Oscars, the Cannes Film Festival, the Golden Globes and, of course, the BAFTAs, and I look at the Hollywood stars on the screen of my Mac and imagine how it all happens at the awards ceremony. And then I myself had to be surrounded by celebrities and pose, just like they do, on the red carpet. To say I was burning with anticipation is an understatement!

Once you’re on the red carpet, the bank of photographers is eagerly waiting to capture the very best images of you possible. You are shown the positions to stand in as you step in front of the cameras, but my main focus was to display the beautiful jewellery and outfit which had been kindly loaned for this special occasion. For every red-carpet attendee, the press demand “Look right! Look left!” – knowing the best angle for their coverage instinctively.

Before I finish, I want to express my gratitude to Atelier Swarovski for the opportunity to discover their new fine jewellery collection, and to attend the BAFTA awards ceremony. Another of my dreams come true! Follow my reviews, especially after Baselworld, and I’ll tell you more about the brand’s latest fine jewellery collection.