Star-Studded Soiree: Glamour Abounds at Pre-BAFTA Chanel Party
London’s social scene was buzzing with anticipation and sartorial excellence on Saturday evening as the stars descended upon the Charles Finch and Chanel pre-BAFTA party. The event, a magnet for A-listers, saw a dazzling display of fashion and celebrity, with singers, actors, and industry heavyweights mingling ahead of the prestigious film awards.
Leading the glamour were singer Lily Allen, actress Marisa Abela, and television presenter Claudia Winkleman, each making a distinct fashion statement.
Lily Allen
The 40-year-old singer, fresh off a triumphant return to the music charts with her acclaimed album ‘West End Girl’, exuded sophistication. She graced the red carpet in a striking ensemble from Chanel’s Summer 2026 collection. Her outfit comprised a vibrant orange and yellow co-ord set, featuring a structured button-up jacket adorned with a multicoloured print, perfectly complemented by a textured, semi-sheer orange midi skirt. Lily accessorised her look with sheer black tights, sky-high pointed black heels that added significant height, and a miniature Chanel handbag to carry her essentials.
Marisa Abela
The 29-year-old actress, who has garnered significant attention for her role in ‘Back To Black’, showcased her enviable figure in a sleek, off-the-shoulder black gown. She elevated her ensemble with strappy, open-toe heels, striking a confident pose for the cameras alongside her husband, Jamie Bogyo.Claudia Winkleman
The beloved host of ‘The Traitors’, aged 54, embodied chic sophistication. She opted for a classic black velvet blazer paired with a crisp white shirt and leggings. Claudia completed her ensemble with pointed black boots, a bold red lipstick, and a black clutch, exuding an air of understated elegance.
A Constellation of Stars
Beyond the headline attendees, the party was a veritable who’s who of the entertainment world. A multitude of familiar faces turned out to celebrate, underscoring the event’s significance in the awards season calendar.
Notable guests included:
Mark Strong
The veteran actor, 62, attended with his partner Liza, and the couple shared a cosy moment on the red carpet.Laura Harrier
The 35-year-old model and actress turned heads in a daring, plunging black gown.Jemima Goldsmith
The TV producer, 52, chose a striking one-shoulder black dress accentuated by an oversized bow detail.Patrick Dempsey
The ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star, 60, cut a dapper figure in a grey suit, complemented by a vibrant red tie. He was accompanied by his glamorous wife, Jillian, and their daughter, Talula.
Kirsten Dunst
The 43-year-old actress was a vision in a black crochet dress featuring semi-sheer detailing and a playful frilly hem. She was joined by her husband, Jesse Plemons, 37, and the couple shared affectionate moments.Maggie Gyllenhaal
The 48-year-old actress looked sensational in a black maxi dress that boasted a sheer bust, a stylish leather waist belt, and a pleated skirt. She appeared in high spirits as she arrived with her actor husband, Peter Saarsgard, 54.Inga Ibsdotter
The 36-year-old actress exuded elegance in a black tweed button-up dress, its hem trimmed with cream feathers.Wagner Moura
The 49-year-old actor presented a refined yet relaxed look, opting for a black jumper paired with satin high-waisted trousers.Miles Caton
The 20-year-old ‘Sinners’ star sported a trendy olive green leather jacket over faded grey jeans.Caitriona Balfe
The 46-year-old actress embraced timeless style in a cream short-sleeved maxi dress, accessorised with green pumps.Gwendoline Christie
The 47-year-old actress was the picture of chic in a white blouse and tailored black trousers, arriving with her partner, designer Giles Deacon.Joe Alwyn
The 35-year-old actor looked sharp in a black blazer, a crisp white shirt, and tailored trousers, posing enthusiastically for photographers.
Henry Golding
The 39-year-old actor cut a smart figure in a grey suit, a quirky green-and-blue striped tie, and a textured blue shirt.Terry Gilliam
The 85-year-old filmmaker layered up in a brown coat, black corduroy trousers, and a beige-and-black cardigan.Regé-Jean Page
The ‘Bridgerton’ star, 38, made a statement in a burnt orange velvet blazer layered over a black roll-neck jumper.Felicity Jones
The 42-year-old actress was elegantly attired in a black satin floor-length dress, cosying up to her husband, Charles.Mariella Frostrup
The 63-year-old Irish journalist opted for a stylish cream jumpsuit featuring short sleeves, a zip-up fastening, and a flared leg.Minnie Driver
The 56-year-old actress wowed in a black semi-sheer floral embroidered gown.Elizabeth McGovern
The 64-year-old actress cut a sophisticated figure in a black blazer, a smart blue blouse, and black tailored trousers.Isla Fisher
The 50-year-old actress brought the glamour in a rose-gold sequin-embellished dress, draped in a chic cream faux-fur coat.
Bob Geldof
The 74-year-old musician looked dapper in a classic black double-breasted blazer and trousers.Rose Byrne
The 46-year-old actress sported a stylish beige trench coat-style coat over a black midi dress.Kate Hudson
The 46-year-old actress commanded attention in a striking black-and-white gown, featuring a structured leather bodice and a flowing pleated skirt.Wunmi Mosaku
The 39-year-old actress stunned in a vibrant orange dress paired with white pointed heels.
BAFTA Nominations: A Deep Dive into the Contenders
The pre-BAFTA party also served as a preamble to the upcoming awards, with discussions no doubt turning to the films and performances that have earned nominations. The 2026 BAFTA nominations, announced recently, showcase a diverse range of cinematic achievements.
Dominant Films:
‘One Battle After Another’ has emerged as a frontrunner, securing a remarkable 14 nominations, including a nod for lead star Leonardo DiCaprio. Hot on its heels is ‘Sinners’ with 13 nominations, while ‘Marty Supreme’ and ‘Hamnet’ each garnered eleven. ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Sentimental Value’ received eight nominations apiece, with ‘I Swear’ and ‘Bugonia’ earning five, and ‘The Ballad of Wallis Island’, ‘Pillion’, and ‘F1’ securing three each.The Best Film Race:
The coveted Best Film award will be contested by ‘Hamnet’, ‘Marty Supreme’, ‘One Battle After Another’, ‘Sinners’, and ‘Sentimental Value’. Notably, Chloe Zhao’s ‘Hamnet’, an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel exploring the family life of William Shakespeare, has set a new BAFTA record for the most nominations for a female-directed film.Acting Accolades:
The acting categories are fiercely competitive. Jessie Buckley has earned a Leading Actress BAFTA for her role in ‘Hamnet’, adding to her growing list of awards season recognition. She faces stiff competition from Rose Byrne (‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’), Kate Hudson (‘Song Sung Blue’), Chase Infiniti (‘One Battle After Another’), Renate Reinsve (‘Sentimental Value’), and Emma Stone (‘Bugonia’).In the Supporting Actor category, Paul Mescal, despite an Oscar snub, has received a BAFTA nomination for ‘Hamnet’. He is up against Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn (both for ‘One Battle After Another’), Jacob Elordi (‘Frankenstein’), Petter Mullan (‘I Swear’), and Stellan Skarsgard (‘Sentimental Value’).
Leonardo DiCaprio is vying for his second BAFTA in the Leading Actor category for his performance in ‘One Battle After Another’. His competition includes Timothee Chalamet (‘Marty Supreme’), Robert Aramayo (‘I Swear’), Ethan Hawke (‘Blue Moon’), Michael B Jordan (‘Sinners’), and Jesse Plemons (‘Bugonia’).
The Supporting Actress category sees a strong British presence with Nigerian-British star Wunmi Mosaku nominated for ‘Sinners’. She competes against Carey Mulligan (‘The Ballad Of Wallis Island’), Emily Watson (‘Hamnet’), Odessa A’Zion (‘Marty Supreme’), Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (‘Sentimental Value’), and Teyana Taylor (‘One Battle After Another’).
Debut Nominees and Director Spotlight:
The ceremony will also celebrate first-time nominees across various performance categories, including Robert Aramayo, Odessa A’zion, Rose Byrne, Chase Infiniti, Michael B. Jordan, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Stellan Skarsgård, and Teyana Taylor. In the Best Director category, Ryan Coogler (‘Sinners’) and Josh Safdie (‘Marty Supreme’) are among the first-time nominees. Coogler’s success with ‘Sinners’ at the BAFTAs follows its record-breaking 16 nominations at the Academy Awards.International and Independent Successes:
While ‘One Battle After Another’ leads the BAFTA nominations with 13 nods, it’s important to note the distinct nomination tallies compared to the Oscars. ‘Wicked: For Good’, overlooked at the Oscars, has secured two BAFTA nominations. Conversely, the Brazilian thriller ‘The Secret Agent’ received two BAFTA nominations, half the number it achieved at the Oscars. ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’ was ineligible for BAFTAs due to Netflix’s release strategy.
The EE Rising Star Award
The nominees for the prestigious EE Rising Star Award were also revealed, highlighting emerging talent in the industry. The contenders for the 2026 prize are:
- Archie Madekwe (for ‘Lurker’)
- Chase Infiniti (for ‘One Battle After Another’)
- Miles Caton (for ‘Sinners’)
- Posy Sterling (for ‘Lollipop’)
- Robert Aramayo (for ‘I Swear’)
This esteemed award is unique as it is the only BAFTA prize voted for by the British public. Past recipients include notable talents such as David Jonsson, Mia, Emma Mackey, and Daniel Kaluuya.
The BAFTA Film Awards ceremony, hosted by Alan Cumming, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 22, and will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
