FX broke with tradition in the latest outing of the FX Awards. The venue was the same – the Great Room at Mayfair’s Grosvenor House hotel – the winners were invited to the stage as usual to receive their much-coveted FX Award, and the party atmosphere that surrounds this gala event was very much in evidence, as it is every year.
But this year, instead of a stand-up comedian entertaining the audience for awards ceremony, TV and film actor James Nesbitt, of TV’s Munroe and the much-anticipated movie The Hobbit, took to the stage. ‘I can tell that you’re surprised to see me here,’ he began. ‘So am I. I was just walking by the place.’
His banter, anecdotes and jokes, even though he said he only had the one, seemed to entertain everyone, and his actorly projection and soft Northern Irish accent kept the excited audience pretty much in order during the presentations, possibly another first.
Due to atrocious weather conditions on the night, it was touch and go whether two winners, flying in from abroad especially for the FX Awards, would make it in time. Rogier van der Heide from Philips’ HQ in Holland (Lighting Product Award) arrived at the beginning of dinner, while Ross Lovegrove pulled in just in time for dessert and to accept the premier award for Product Designer of the Year. Other premier award winners were Christopher Jenner, Breakthrough Talent; Interior Design Practice of the Year, Giorgio Borruso; and Niels Diffrient, Outstanding Lifetime Contribution of Design Award.
After the awards presentations the party kicked off in earnest with the spectacular 10-piece Zig Zag Band. The dance floor was filled within seconds and stayed packed until 2am when the party was only broken up when the overhead lights were switched on.
Thanks to our sponsors, all of whom prioritised this event over others and made it a night to remember!
For more images from the night, and details of all the winners go to fxdesignawards.com
