Vogue editor Edwin McCann looks back at 25 years in the fashion industry
After 25 years in the industry, Australia’s queen of fashion Edwina McCann has just about seen it all but some trends of old still send shivers down the Vogue editor’s spine. McCann was honoured on Tuesday with a prestigious lifetime achievement award by the Australian Fashion Laureate.
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After 25 years in the industry, Australia’s queen of fashion Edwina McCann has just about seen it all.
But there are a few faux pas that still send shivers down the Vogue editor’s spine.
The super-skinny heroin-chic look of the early 90s, the “mullet dress” and anything made in brown all top the list of her most hated trends.
“I didn’t like the way women were portrayed through that imagery of the heroin-chic era,” she told The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday night.
“I didn’t love the really young models which were used at that time.
“It is far from a perfect industry now but there is so much that happened back then that would not be acceptable today.”
McCann said she was a huge fan of the modern movement of women dressing for women which has been championed by designers such as Victoria Beckham and Celine.
“For me they both create clothes for intelligent women with busy lives who want to be stylish,” she said.
“Both are quite minimal, it isn’t about being sexy.”
Athletic dressing and anything with a bit of “bling” also come in high up on her list of likes.
Rising from an assistant at Vogue in the ’90s to being considered the queen of Australian fashion, McCann has now worked with every big name from actor Cate Blanchett to pop superstar Katy Perry.
The mother of two was honoured on Tuesday with a prestigious lifetime achievement award by the Australian Fashion Laureate. It comes at a time when she believes the local fashion industry is booming.
“I think it is healthier than it has been in a very long time,” she said.
“On an international scale there has never been a greater interest in Australian fashion.
“I am constantly impressed by the emerging designers and fresh faces in our local industry.”
Last night the Laureate also honoured model of the year Adut Akech Bior and designers Romance Was Born, Zimmermann and Song For The Mute.
Fresh off the Victoria’s Secret runway New Zealand-born beauty Georgia Fowler hosted the VIP event at the State Theatre.
Fowler said it was great to have a strong contingent of models from Australia and New Zealand in the iconic lingerie show this year.
“We all have a really strong bond,” she said.
Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of Vogue.
McCann said plans to celebrate the milestone were top secret but very exciting.
“I am proud of how our team works and what we have achieved with Vogue Australia heading into our 60th year.”
Over her two decades in the magazine world, McCann has been involved in countless iconic shoots.
Photographing Nicole Kidman in Uluru and dining with Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark are career highlights, she said.
“One of the most meaningful shoots I have done was at Harpers Bazaar when Nicole Kidman agreed to be photographed with her baby Sunday Rose for the first time. It was also amazing taking Nicole to Uluru for Vogue.
“It was not long after her father’s passing and she took her children and mother with her, it was such an emotive shoot.
“Shooting Princess Mary was such a great memory, both professionally and personally. To sit down in the castle for dinner with the royal family was once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Working with young stars including Emma Watson, Margot Robbie and Kendall Jenner also add an exciting flavour to the magazine McCann says.