Inside Vogue World: London 23 celebrity arrivals
Celebrities, fashion and royalty melded together in truly extravagant style on the eve of London Fashion Week.
The second edition of Vogue World, an extravaganza of fashion, culture and celebrity, was celebrated with a bang in London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane ahead of London Fashion Week.
Directed by the BAFTA and Olivier winner Stephen Daldry, with Australian film director Baz Luhrmann on-board as a creative advisor, the star-studded performance and runway brought together Shakespeare, musical performances from the likes of Annie Lennox and the British rapper Stormzy and a runway finale from the original supermodels (and Vogue US and UK September issue cover stars) Christy Turlington Burns, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford.
The ticketed event was hosted by outgoing editor-in-chief of British Vogue Edward Enninful and Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of American Vogue and the chief content officer of Condé Nast.
It was attended by a veritable who’s who spanning the arts, film, culture and even royalty.
Those walking the red carpet included Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, wearing Fendi and Richard Quinn respectively, Olympic medalist Tom Daley, actress Sienna Miller who wowed with a dramatic custom Schiaparelli number that accentuated her growing baby bump, Gemma Chan in Louis Vuitton and the likes of Kate Winslet, Carey Mulligan, Jodie Turner-Smith and Emilia Clarke.
Edwina McCann, publisher News Prestige and Conde Nast titles Australia says it was a true celebration of the industry.
“Aside from the Met Gala, this is one of the only events of this scale that celebrates fashion for fashion’s sake. It was fabulous to see it bring people from all walks of life together to put fashion on the world stage, backed by iconic performances and appearances that only Vogue can call in. And it’s always great to see our Aussies like Baz [Luhrmann] and Christine [Centenera, Vogue Australia editor-in-chief] representing us!”
Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Christine Centenera attended with her partner actor Joel Edgerton.
Vogue Australia fashion features director Alice Birrell was on the ground in London and says the event lives up to its global title.
“Though shifting its focus to London this time, the second ever Vogue World is living up to its global title. It was incredible to see the power of fashion and its ability to transcend boundaries: here it was opened up to all again - last time the runway was on the streets of New York, this time ticket holding members of the public took their seats alongside celebrities and supermodels, each and every one putting on the ritz for the occasion and the dress code ‘opening night’ in grand style,” she says.
“In true global fashion, Australia too was represented at the highest level with our own Baz
Luhrmann arriving alongside Edward Enninful and Anna Wintour. The beloved homegrown global creative force was ever present, getting up on stage at the end to join the all star cast to cheers and applause. As the crowd dispersed, South-Sudanese Australian model Adut Akech and Luhrmann found each other and shared a hug on stage.”For Birrell it was a reminder too of the joy, and power, of fashion.
“The audience laughed, danced in their seats, and lifted the roof when Annie Lennox sung the original supermodels down the runway. A joyous convergence of fashion and the arts - a reminder of their close relationship and the joy they spread.”
Proceeds from the event will go to a selection of London performing arts organisations including the National Theatre, the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera House.
