Music’s biggest stars were out in force on the BRIT Awards Red Carpet

Stars descended on London's The O2 Arena to celebrate the UK's biggest music industry event, The BRIT Awards, on Wednesday evening. With the night's biggest winners Dua Lipa and Stormzy leading the pack, it was a chance for music icons to catch up, network and, for some, even meet their heroes.

As headline partner of this year's BRITs Official Aftershow Party, Tempus was on the red carpet to speak to the stars and find out what the prestigious awards means to this year's chart topping artists, many of whom are passionate advocates for the BRITs Trust, which funds the legendary BRIT School for Performing Arts whose alumni include Adele, Amy Winehouse and Avengers: Infinity War star Tom Holland.

British singer Dua Lipa and grime artist Stormzy came out on top with both stars scooping two prestigious trophies designed by sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor. Dua Lipa took home the Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act and British Female Solo Artist Award, while Stormzy won MasterCard British Album of the Year for his debut album Gang Signs & Prayer as well as the gong for British Male Solo Artist Award.

Following her second win, Lipa said, "My heart was beating so fast and I couldn't believe when they called my name. I'm over the moon, really happy about it."  But it wasn't just Dua Lipa's award success that got guests talking; the starlet's huge baby pink Giambattista Valli tutu gown made her centre of attention on the red carpet too. >>

Related: From Diamond Dining to the biggest winners, Tempus takes on the VIP BRITs experience

Winners in the sartorial stakes included Pixie Lott, who chose a beautiful lilac beaded gown with a thigh high split, and Rita Ora, who went for an eye-catching white, fluffed floor length gown. Speaking on the red carpet Lott, who attended with partner Oliver Cheshire – one of the daring stars taking on Formula E's Mitch Evans on Tempus Magazine's simulator challenge – said: "I love the BRITs, it's always one of the best nights of the year."

Sequins were a popular choice among the stars too, with Paloma Faith, and models Hailey Baldwin and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley all going for glitz. Another artist who got fans talking on the red carpet was BRIT-nominated music producer Jax Jones, who donned a comical, giant bobble head mask, bringing the CGI dancing character in his music videos for Breathe and You Don't Know Me to real life.

Despite the differences in attire, one emblem for which the stars were united was the now iconic white rose, synonymous with the #TimesUp movement. Ahead of the Awards, BRITs organisers had asked their guests to wear a special rose pin to show support to victims of abuse and harassment within the entertainment industry, and Sam Smith, Jennifer Hudson, and Ellie Goulding were among those donning the accessory in support of the cause.

Female stars including bands Little Mix and HAIM, and soloists Paloma Faith, Cheryl and Rita Ora all carried a real white flower in support, while male BRIT nominees Ed Sheeran and Rag'n'Bone Man and host Jack Whitehall paid tribute to the movement wearing white roses on their suits. >>

Related: The BRIT Trust: Everything you need to know

Female empowerment was a theme echoed during the ceremony too, with Dua Lipa dedicating her award for British Female Solo Artist Award to "women taking over the world." The star cited her thanks to females who've supported her success so far, with an empowering speech saying, "I want to thank every single female that has been on this stage before me and has given girls like me a place to be inspired by and [someone to] look up to and allow us to dream. Here's to more women on these stages, winning these awards and taking over the world."

On the red carpet, singer Tallia Storm shared her excitment with Tempus: "Seeing all my idols in one room is literally a dream come true, so I'm in awe of the entire evening. I'm so excited to see Ed Sheeran. I love him. I think he's such an icon, and the fact that he's still so young – he's just one of a kind." Sheeran performed at the ceremony before picking up a Global Success Award to mark his incredible popularity and achievements. 

Other performers included Liam Gallagher, who famously threw his last winning trophy into the crowd at a previous BRIT awards – something his fans, including model and actor Paul Sculfor, had certainly not forgotten. "Liam Gallagher's up for an award so that'll be interesting," Sculfor told Tempus. "Hopefully he won't throw his trophy in the crowd again!"

With 2018's proceedings setting the tone for another exciting year in music ahead, we can't wait to find out what's next for the winners of this year's BRITs in association with Mastercard.

Tempus is proud to be headline partner of the BRITs Official Aftershow Party. Find out more here.