‘Daring and subversive’ Queen hailed as fashion icon
THE Queen is a “daring and subversive” fashion icon, award-winning designers have said ahead of her Platinum Jubilee.
The Queen, who is the inspiration behind a fashion shoot for Harper’s Bazaar this month, has been hailed by the industry for her “timelessness”, “regal elegance” and service to milliners – as well as her less predictable love of an acid green outfit.
Creating a range of new outfits in time for the jubilee, leading designers – from Sarah Burton, famous for designing the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress, to Victoria Beckham – paid tribute to her style.
One, Richard Quinn, was propelled to becoming a household name after the Queen presented him with a personal award during London Fashion Week in 2018, after she made a surprise appearance in the front row of his show alongside Anna Wintour.
Describing his contribution to the Queen-inspired photo shoot, Quinn said: “The Queen once wore an amazing matching hat and coat in acid green, with patent black shoes; to me, that’s daring and subversive. So, I wanted this Tudor mini-dress at the Tower of London. It’s a play on the royal look – crystals, silk duchesse satin, a little crinoline... and then a bit of latex.”
Quinn won the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, saying at the time: “It’s a bit surreal.
“She [the Queen] said that she was pleased that the award would support young designers. I think she’s definitely a fashion icon.”
Of the Queen’s own fashion credentials, the Princess Royal last month said the secret to her mother’s success was that “she didn’t do fashion but she certainly does style, and style tends to last longer”.
Philip Treacy, a renowned milliner, said: “The Queen has done more for the hat than anyone else and has kept it alive in the imagination of people all over the world.”
The June issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK is on sale now.