Coleridge could have a ball at the V&A

IS SOUTH Kensington set to become London’s latest fashion hub? The V&A had been searching for a new chairman to replace the outgoing philanthropist Sir Paul Ruddock, and this weekend confirmed that it has chosen Nicholas Coleridge, pictured right, president of Condé Nast publications.

As the man behind the curtain at Vogue, GQ and Tatler — among the 100 magazines printed by the company worldwide — Coleridge is a stylish choice but the appointment does come as a surprise. The Londoner had long suspected that former National Trust head Simon Jenkins was the prime candidate, although Coleridge will certainly be a worthy ambassador.

In recent years the V&A

LENT is almost over, and The Londoner looks forward to a day of indulgence come Easter. Our discipline has wavered on occasion, so we were delighted to be able to take inspiration from Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby when we bumped into him this weekend. Unsurprisingly, he has an iron will. He told us he has given up one meal a day, usually lunch. Basically the 2:1 diet, then. has become a sartorial mecca, bringing exhibitions on Italian fashion, wedding dresses and Alexander McQueen, and Coleridge has been a trustee since 2012. V&A director Martin Roth is thrilled, calling his new colleague a “dynamic chairman for this exciting and significant period”. Coleridge, who will start in the post in November, will be involved in the V&A’s Olympic site expansion, as well as a new outpost in Dundee. He could even take advice from fellow Condé Nast pal Anna Wintour, the editor of US Vogue who organises New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual ball. Could we soon see an equivalent on this side of the pond? We’re already dusting off our ballgowns.

BIZARRE claim of the day from Russell Crowe, who says he used to receive prank calls from Michael Jackson. How terribly Bad of him.