Katharine Hamnett

Rebel stylist: Caroline Baker – the woman who invented street fashion



Rebel Stylist - Caroline Baker for Vogue - photography Harri Peccinotti

If you’re struggling for killer fashion gift ideas, allow me to make a recommendation.

I’ve just received my copy of Rebel Stylist*, a fantastic delve into the story of fashion styling straight from the lips (and visual archive) of the lady who invented it all, Caroline Baker. Caroline is a legend in the industry. She has worked for everyone, from Nova magazine to The Face, Vogue and i-D, as well as with iconic designers and brands including Benetton (the Toscani ads), Katharine Hamnett and Vivienne Westwood. Not to mention photographers – Helmut Newton, Hari Peccinotti, Sarah Moon, Guy Bourdin, Saul Leiter. Every mainstream trend you can think of – layering, military surplus, power dressing, underwear-as-outerwear – she was there first, trailblazing well before most of us were in nappies. (more…)



Quote of the day: Katharine Hamnett



Katharine Hamnett
“I thought, what are the punchiest graphics? I was passing a newsstand, saw a billboard for The Sun, and thought: that’s it! There was no Snappy Snaps or anything where you could get T-shirts done. So I did the lettering, got it exposed on to linen graphics paper, and stitched it onto a silk T-shirt.”

Fashion designer Katharine Hamnett, Vogue, talking about her famous political moment, when she wore her emblematic ‘58% don’t want Pershing’ T-shirt to Number 10 in 1984. (more…)



THE DRG STYLE INDEX: MOSCHINO, PETIT BATEAU, FRANCES VALENTINE, MIU MIU, KATHARINE HAMNETT



Here’s the latest weekly DRG STYLE INDEX ranking, a round-up of the brands currently buzzing on my radar…

1. MOSCHINO SAYS ‘FANCY A FAG?’


Way ahead of the see-now-buy-now curve, Moschino has a knack of knowing which elements of its buzzworthy collections to release first. Landing today, its #Itslit AW16 capsule collection of cigarette-themed pieces hits the shop floor just four days after first being seen on the runway. I can’t lie, I think this ciggie-box shaped shoulder bag is utterly fabulous… (Buy it at Luisaviaroma and Selfridges or click the images above to shop.) (more…)