FASHION

September
from the editor...
People constantly make the mistake
of comparing London with New
York, Milan and Paris and that’s
not what it’s about. London has
its own fashion identity. You come
here to find the next Alexander McQueen or
John Galliano.” If there is one woman in the
fashion industry with whom it is impossible
to argue, it is the indomitable Anna Wintour,
editor-in-chief of style bible American Vogue.
Although similar praise has been widely echoed,
last month London officially overtook New
York and cemented its status as the fashion
capital of the world, according to a study by
Global Language Monitor, which tracks trends
in print and social media.
Anna Wintour is right. London has made its
own indelible, unique stamp on the fashion
industry, as exemplified by style icons across
the decades, from the peerless Audrey Hepburn
to young Brit pioneer Emma Watson via the
widely-imitated Twiggy and Princess Diana.
Two Kates have flown the British fashion flag
on the global stage, in very different ways
but with equally profound effects; the welldressed,
well-spoken Duchess of Cambridge
has championed British designers and a classic,
modest style while the effortlessly chic, cutting
edge cool Kate Moss has been single-handedly
responsible for starting numerous trends.
In tribute to London’s phenomenal fashion
scene and to the new collections debuting across
the world this month, welcome to our Fashion
Forward September Issue. First, happy birthday
to three British fashion houses celebrating
their 40th anniversaries (p. 13): David Reiss’s
eponymous company, with dresses fit for a
princess; Brit lifestyle brand Mulberry, loved
for its Alexa bag and for bringing country
chic to city lifestyles; and Vivienne Westwood,
the eccentric doyenne of Anglomania, punk
and pirates. Happy birthday, too, to fashion
powerhouse Gucci, celebrating 90 years of style.
Fashion is as much about looking forward as
looking back so, in this spirit, Elle Blakeman
discovers more about shoe designer of the
moment, Nicholas Kirkwood (p. 58) and speaks
to the three winners of the prestigious ‘new
generation’ Fashion Fringe competition (p. 61).
For our exclusive fashion shoot, we chose a
brand whose name is more under the radar than
it should be, given that it is favoured by Florence
Welch, Beyoncé, Kylie and Cindy Crawford,
produces utterly gorgeous collections and we
love it. Ladies, this is essential BodyAmr (p. 48).
This shoot was made all the more exciting
because we collaborated with world renowned
photographer John Wright, who has shot
everyone from Michael Jackson to Lady Gaga.
This is another name worth remembering and
Richard Brown finds out why (p. 18). The roll
call continues with fashion powerhouses Chanel,
Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Armani and Bulgari.
What am I investing in this season? Sequins, but
not too ostentatious. Seventies style, but not too
hippy. Leather and lace, but not too risqué. Bring
on A/W11.
Annabel Harrison
Editor