Twelve Years, to give the film its industry handle, made a triumphant showing on the Bafta red carpet as well as taking the best movie and best actor awards.

The two fashion moments of the night belonged to Lupita Nyong'o, a best supporting actress nominee for her role in 12 Years a Slave, who wore the standout frock – a statuesque Christian Dior in bold jade green – and power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who wore his-and-hers tuxedos to support the film, which Pitt produced.

Red-carpet fashion is a world caught in aspic, where little changes from decade to decade. The pale satin dress in which Jennifer Lawrence collected a best actress Oscar in 2013 is not so different from the one in which Grace Kelly collected hers in 1955.

So Angelina's choice of outfit – a custom-made Saint Laurent tuxedo – was a bold move which will reinforce her reputation as one of Hollywood's risk-takers.

The matching tuxedos were an interesting choice, also, in underscoring the Brangelina brand as being about them as a couple. These tuxedos – his by Valentino, hers by Saint Laurent – will knit the pair even closer together in the public imagination.

Meanwhile, Nyong'o's choice of dress signified a move from promising newcomer to bona fide star. No offbeat choice by an emerging designer for Nyong'o: rather, a strapless Dior gown, the gold standard of movie-star attire.

With the Baftas being held in the middle of London Fashion Week, the British fashion industry were looking for a strong showing on the red carpet. Jolie was not the only leading lady in trousers, with Ruth Wilson wearing a silver suit by Antonio Berardi.

Amy Adams wore Victoria Beckham, while Cate Blanchett wore Alexander McQueen – both floor-length and black – while Lily Allen chose a vivacious Vivienne Westwood gown and Sally Hawkins a graceful silver dress custom-made by Mulberry.