The Queen makes her Fashion Week debut
The Queen made her first appearance at London Fashion Week yesterday, where she was seated in the front row beside Dame Anna Wintour for Richard Quinn’s catwalk show. The Queen appeared to enjoy herself – but what was it that she found so funny?
FOR decades, she has been the quietest of trendsetters, creating arguably the most recognisable look in the world while getting on with the business of being head of state.
Yesterday, the Queen’s influence on British fashion was celebrated in style, as she attended her first London Fashion Week front row to watch a catwalk show partially inspired by her own headscarves.
The Queen took a front-row seat next to Dame Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of US Vogue, for Richard Quinn’s show of brightlycoloured prints described as “Balmoral meets Peckham”.
The extraordinary appearance saw the Queen present Quinn with a new fashion award named after her as, she said, “a tribute to the industry, and as my legacy to all those who have contributed to British fashion”.
The Queen, wearing a duck egg blue Angela Kelly suit with crystal embellishments, watched the show with interest, making enthusiastic conversation with Dame Anna.
Some models wore headscarves which bore a remarkable similarity to the style favoured by the Queen, tied in unconventional fashion to cover their faces. Others donned motorcycle helmets, puffa coats and brightly printed foil capes which billowed behind them and were inspired by mid-century couture shapes.
Taking to the catwalk after the show, the Queen said: “It is a great pleasure to be here at London Fashion Week today. From the tweed of the Hebrides to Nottingham lace, and of course Carnaby Street, our fashion industry has been renowned for outstanding craftsmanship for many years, and continues to produce world-class textiles and cutting edge, practical designs.”
Caroline Rush, the chief executive of the British Fashion Council (BFC), told her: “Throughout your reign you have embraced fashion, using its power of diplomacy to communicate understanding between cultures and nations. Your Majesty, I know that you do not wish to be known as a fashion icon, but for all of us in this room, who have the utmost respect for you, and also for the hard work, diligence, cultural impact of our industry, we know that you undoubtedly are.”
Speaking after the show, Quinn told The Daily Telegraph: “It’s a bit surreal. We only found out a few days ago, so we added in a few Queen touches with the headscarves and the scarf patterns. We were already planning a few scarves but we really hammed it up.
“She said that she was pleased that the award would support young designers. I think she’s definitely a fashion icon – she was the first royal woman to wear trousers, I believe.
“It’s a tongue-in-cheek take on Balmoral, but done my way.”
The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, created by Angela Kelly, the Queen’s trusted personal adviser, recognises an “emerging British fashion designer who shows exceptional talent and originality, whilst demonstrating value to the community and/or strong sustainable policies”. It will be presented annually by a member of the Royal Family to a designer chosen by the BFC working with the Royal household.
Quinn, who described the Queen’s style as “cutting edge”, also had his sights set on other members of the Royal Family. Naming Meghan Markle as the woman he would like to design for, he added: “I think she’s at the head of that new age of royals.”
Yesterday, bookmaker Paddy Power suspended betting on who will design Ms Markle’s wedding dress after a rush on fashion house Alexander Mcqueen.