Steven Meisel

Trend report: what to wear for AW23



Johnny Dufort for T Magazine

AW23 is emphatically female-focussed, kicking off with supermodel mania – that Vogue cover, the Apple series and a Linda Evangelista book – and continuing with a slew of women-championing exhibitions. We’ve also got the big Phoebe Philo reveal to come, as well as a focus on revivalist classic fashion (aka gentlewoman style). For this you can easily shop your closet, or consider buying pre-loved – the quality may be better and so may the price. “The connection between instability in the economy and consumers’ desire for classic, quality pieces that retain value is certainly at play, as is the cultural zeitgeist,” Kelly McSweeney, senior merchandising manager at The RealReal, told WWD. (more…)



The culture of fashion: kilty pleasures



Le Kilt

It’s 30 years since Marc Jacobs’ fateful Perry Ellis grunge collection, so a good time for one revival in particular. This autumn I’m excited for the return of the kilt, the old money staple that straddles childhood nostalgia and tradition (think school uniforms and the Queen off-duty) and pop culture subversion (70s punk, 90s grunge, Cher from Clueless).

This season, Burberry has cleverly revived it as a youthful house code in an effort to ramp up Daniel Lee’s modern Brit vision. (more…)



Coach class



Coach pre fall 2016

When it comes to featuring cars in fashion shoots, have you noticed only vintage cars will do? Here’s the perfect example; Coach’s first ever pre-fall campaign for its Coach 1941 women’s RTW and bag line. In this context though, a classic American, leather-interiored car absolutely nails it. What does contemporary Coach stand for, if not luxury leathers and iconic Americana?

The campaign was shot on location in Red Hook, Brooklyn, depicting Stuart Vevers’ vision of laid back but youthful luxury (that’s helping to revive the brand, to much acclaim). (more…)



Must see: Vogue 100 A Century Of Style



Twiggy by Ronald Traeger Vogue 100 National Portrait Gallery

While all the fashion chatter of the last two weeks has revolved around the subjects of fashion week and fashion media and their relevance in the social media age, an interesting exhibition has opened at the National Portrait Gallery to slow the conversation right down. Vogue 100: A Century of Style is a celebration of 100 years of Vogue, the iconic print magazine whose images (photos and illustrations) continue to wield huge influence on style and culture.

Why go to an exhibition showing cult Vogue images when you can see them most any day flashing up on Instagram, Tumblr or Pinterest? The answer to me is simple. (more…)