Pop superstar Taylor Swift has been named woman of the year at the Elle Style Awards.

The singer, due to perform at the Brit Awards, follows in the footsteps of Katy Perry, Taylor’s rumoured foe, who won last year, at a ceremony which also saw Cara Delevingne crowned breakthrough actress.

Cara Delevigne at the Elle Style Awards
Cara Delevingne at the Elle Style Awards (Doug Peters/ Empics)

Taylor was presented with her award at the glamorous event by another winner, Sam Smith, who was named musician of the year.

Sam Smith at the awards
Sam Smith at the awards (Joel Ryan/Invision)

Guests at the event at the Sky Garden at London’s 20 Fenchurch Street, commonly known as the Walkie Talkie Tower because of its distinctive shape, included Pixie Geldof, M.I.A. and Naomi Campbell.

Pixie Geldof
Pixie Geldof (Joel Ryan/Invision)
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

X Factor guru Simon Cowell was recognised for his outstanding contribution to entertainment.

Simon Cowell with his gong
Simon Cowell with his gong (Joel Ryan/Invision)

Burberry boss Christopher Bailey won the editor’s choice award, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was named model of the year and The Honourable Woman star Maggie Gyllenhaal won the TV actress award.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Joel (Ryan/Invision)

Luke Evans, one of the stars of The Hobbit, was named actor of the year and shoe designer Manolo Blahnik was given the lifetime achievement award.

Luke Evans
Luke Evans (Rune Hellestad/UPI/Landov)

The event, now in its 18th year, also saw Australian actress Rebel Wilson named rising star.

Rebel Wilson
Rebel Wilson (Joel Ryan/Invision)

Model and actress Lily Cole, who set up her own social network which invites people to give their services and skills away to help others, won the H&M conscious award.

Lily Cole
Lily Cole (Joel Ryan/Invision)