BRITISH FASHION’S GOLD AT LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and The British Fashion Council (BFC) today announce that the Closing Ceremony showcased the most iconic faces and designers in British fashion.
Over the course of the last year Kim Gavin, Creative Director of The Closing Ceremony and his team have worked together with The British Fashion Council and British Vogue to put British fashion at the heart of the Closing Ceremony in the ultimate British Fashion Catwalk Show - showcasing British Fashion to the largest ever global audience.
Alexandra Shulman, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue and Lucinda Chambers, Fashion Director of British Vogue brought together legendary British photographer Nick Knight, renowned British hairdresser Sam McKnight and award winning British make-up artist Val Garland to create “Midas Touch” – a portfolio of images of British supermodels wearing one of a kind Gold outfits specially created by the best of British Fashion Designers. These images, previewed in the September issue of British Vogue, appear as giant billboards in The Closing Ceremony. Each Billboard opens to reveal the models themselves wearing their chosen creations:
“The Closing Ceremony is a celebration of the best of London, the best of British people, and the best of our music and our culture. The most innovative and iconic fashion designers and models in the world are British and so this ceremony would have been impossible without them at its heart.” - Kim Gavin, Creative Director of The Closing Ceremony
"The British Fashion Council is delighted to be supporting British fashion's contribution to the Closing Ceremony. Kim Gavin and his team wanted to showcase the most iconic elements of British fashion design and, together with help from British Vogue and celebrated British photographer, Nick Knight, we are delighted to be able to show the very best of that iconic talent. Nine globally recognised British supermodels are wearing designs by our leading global talents Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Burberry, Paul Smith, Stephen Jones, Victoria Beckham, Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane and Erdem. We are incredibly proud to be a part of bringing the very best of British fashion talent to an audience of over a billion people worldwide." - Caroline Rush, Chief Executive of The British Fashion Council
See image gallery from the Ultimate British Fashion Show
For further information please contact:
Daniel Marks at The Communications Store:
daniel@tcs-uk.net
Main image: Nao
mi Campbell wears Alexander McQueen Gold Metal embroidered dress with train.
Photographer: Nick Knight
The September 2012 issue of VOGUE is available now.
ABOUT THE DESIGNERS
Alexander McQueen was founded in 1992 by Lee McQueen where in less than 10 years he became one of the most respected fashion designers in the world. Sarah Burton joined the company in 1996 and was made Head of Women’s wear design in 2000. Burton worked alongside Lee McQueen for more than 14 years and was subsequently appointed Creative Director of the brand in May 2010 following the passing of Lee McQueen in February 2010. Alexander McQueen is owned by PPR, a worldwide leading Luxury and Sport & Lifestyle group.
Tonight Naomi Campbell & Kate Moss wear Alexander McQueen.
Founded in 1856 Burberry is a British luxury fashion brand, distributing clothing, accessories and fragrance. Burberry is most famous for its iconic trench coat, which was invented by found Thomas Burberry. HM Queen Elizabeth 11 and HRH The Prince of Wales have granted the company Royal Warrants. The Chief Creative Officer is Christopher Bailey who joined the company in 2001. The Company is listed on the London Stock exchange and is known for its innovative digital campaigns as well as iconic advertising imagery.
Tonight Karen Elson wears Burberry.
Glaswegian born Kane graduated from London’s Central Saint Martins and launched his first collection together with his sister Tammy in 2006. He has subsequently become known worldwide for his innovative collections and progressive vision unrivalled amongst his peers. Iconic collections include his use of Lace, Neon and photographic prints. He is also known for his role working with the Versus collection for Donatella Versace. Kane was the winner of the British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2011. The Duchess of Cambridge wore Christopher Kane to the Opening Ceremony of The London 2012 Olympic Games.
Tonight Stella Tennant wears Christopher Kane.
The eponymous London-based ready-to-wear line was established in 2005 by Erdem Moralioglu. Erdem was born and raised in Montreal, Canada by his Turkish father and English mother. Erdem’s designs are realized through clever use of bold colour, print and a playful approach to embellishment. Recipient of numerous awards in 2010 Erdem was the inaugural winner of the British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund. High profile supporters include The Duchess of Cambridge, Samantha Cameron, Kiera Knightley, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Biel.
Tonight Lily Cole wears Erdem.
Saunders went from Glasgow School of Art to Central Saint Martins, graduating in 2002 with an MA in Printed Textiles. Saunders is renowned for his exceptional use of print and colour – most recently seen on the cover of the September issue of British Vogue. Saunders is the most recent winner of the British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2012. Emeli Sandé wore a Saunders dress for The Opening Ceremony.
Tonight Jourdan Dunn wears Jonathan Saunders.
Sir Paul Smith’s first ambition was to be a racing cyclist however following an accident a career change ensued and he opened his first store in Nottingham in 1970. He was knighted in 2000 by HM The Queen for services to the fashion industry. His signature style revolves around an unmistakable Englishness augmented by the unexpected whether in his clothing, home or accessory collections. Paul Smith is continually involved in every aspect of the business and as a result, Paul Smith Limited retains a personal touch often lost in companies of a similar size.
Tonight David Gandy wears Paul Smith.
Stephen Jones started working in 1985 with Comme Des Garcons and has subsequently become known as one of the Kings of British Millinery. He has collaborated with stars of fashion and music including Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano, Kylie Minogue, Lanvin and Katharine Hamnett. “Hats, An Anthology by Stephen Jones” opened at V&A in 2009. Jones was awarded an OBE in 2010.
Tonight Jourdan Dunn wears Stephen Jones.
Victoria Beckham is a fashion designer, style icon and six times Vogue cover girl. Having first hit international headlines as the “Posh” Spice Girl and then the wife of footballer David Beckham, in recent years she has emerged as a fashion industry force. She launched her own line in 2008 and in 2011 won ‘Designer Brand’ at The British Fashion Awards.
Tonight Georgia May Jagger wears Victoria Beckham.
Originally from Derbyshire, the legendary British Fashion Designer Vivienne Westwood started selling clothes with Malcolm McLaren in 1971 in a store called “Let it Rock” at 430 Kings Road. The shop was then re-named “Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die” and then “Sex” – with the slogan “Rubber wear for the office”. In 1976 the Sex Pistols, managed by McLaren, went to number one but by 1980 the band had collapsed and a disillusioned Westwood renamed the store “World’s End” - the name the boutique carries today. Westwood’s iconic first catwalk collection in 1981 “Pirates” swiftly gained iconic status and was followed by collections such as “Buffalo Girl” and “Mini-Crini”, “Harris Tweed” and “Portrait” and the unforgettable “Anglomania”. Each collection defines an era – from the heart of punk to the influence of the Royal Family. Today Westwood is as famous for her clothing – featured as the extraordinary wedding dress in the film “Sex in the City” – as for her political manifestoes. Westwood was made a Dame in 2006 and has won Designer of the Year three times at The British Fashion Awards.
Tonight Lily Donaldson wears Vivienne Westwood.
ABOUT THE MODELS
Naomi Campbell
Born in Streatham, South London in 1970, Campbell was discovered by Beth Boldt of Elite Models while studying at The Italia Conti School. She was the first black model to appear on the cover of British Vogue in 1987. She has appeared in numerous advertising campaigns and has shot with the world’s best photographers. She memorably fell over on the runway show of Vivienne Westwood’s Anglomania in 1993. In 1997 Nelson Mandela deemed her an “honorary goddaughter” and she continues to support children’s charities in Africa with Mr Mandela. In 2009, Campbell became a goodwill ambassador for the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood.
Lily Cole
Born in Torbay, England in 1988 and raised in London, Cole’s break came in 2003 when she was photographed by Steven Meisel for Italian Vogue. Cole was named “Model of The Year” at the British Fashion Awards in 2004 and has worked with some of the world’s best photographers including iconic work with British Vogue and British photographer Tim Walker. She has appeared in advertising campaigns for Chanel, Hermes, Topshop and was the face of Moschino’s fragrance “I love you”. In 2011 she was awarded a Double First in History of Art at Cambridge University. She is passionate about Fairtrade and has appeared in numerous films including “St Trinian’s” and “The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus” with the late Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law.
Lily Donaldson
Born in London in 1987, Donaldson was scouted by Select Model Management in 2003 at the age of 16 whilst shopping in Camden. She has landed campaigns for Max Mara, Dior, Jil Sander and Dolce & Gabbana as well as being the face for British Luxury Brand Burberry. She appeared on the cover of American Vogue in 2007 as one of a group of “The World’s Next Top Models.” In 2009 Vogue Paris declared her one of the top models for the 2000s.
Jourdan Dunn
Born in 1990 in London – her birthday was on August 3rd – in the middle of the Olympics. She was discovered in Hammersmith Primark in 2006 and signed to Storm Model Management in London. In 2008 she was the first black model to walk a Prada runway in over a decade. She has featured extensively in the world’s style magazines and has modelled for Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent, Victoria’s Secret, H&M and GAP. In November 2008 Dunn was named “Model of the Year” at The British Fashion Awards. She is currently ranked 15th in the Top 50 Model women listed by models.com
Karen Elson
Born in Oldham, Lancashire in 1979 Elson attended North Chadderton School in Chadderton with her twin sister, filmmaker Kate Elson. She was discovered at the age of 16 by the owner of Boss Models in Manchester and shot to fame when Steven Meisel shot her for the cover of Italian Vogue on her 18th Birthday. She has worked with the world’s major fashion photographers including Mario Testino, Bruce Weber, Peter Lindbergh, Mert and Marcus, Steven Klein, Patrick Demarchelier, Ellen Von Unwerth and Steven Meisel. In September 2008 Elson was on the cover of British Vogue as “Fashion’s Red Queen.” She is currently the face of YSL Opium perfume and has appeared in advertising campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Roberto Cavalli, Lanvin, Banana Republic and H&M. She is a regular contributor to Nick Knight’s site SHOWstudio.com.
David Gandy
Born in 1980 David Gandy was at university studying marketing when his housemate suggested he entered a modelling competition in ITV’s This Morning which he went on to win getting himself a contract with Select Models. In 2006 he was chosen to be Dolce & Gabbana’s muse and rapidly rose to be one of the best known faces and bodies in fashion – partly thanks to a 50 foot Times Square billboard of him wearing nothing but a pair of white pants and a spray of Dolce & Gabbana’s fragrance “Light Blue”. He has been photographed by the world’s top photographers and in 2010 appeared on “Friday Night with Jonathan Ross” – the first male model to feature on the show. Gandy is an ambassador for Men’s fashion for London Collections: Men – The British Fashion industry showcase for British Menswear and is a regular contributor to Vogue.co.uk and GQ.
Georgia May Jagger
Jagger is the youngest daughter of Rolling Stones rocker Mick Jagger and supermodel Jerry Hall. She is represented by TESS Model Management in London. Having been signed at the age of 16 to a model agency she followed her mother and sister Lizzie into the fashion world. She has modelled for Vivienne Westwood and had campaigns for Rimmel, Versace, Chanel and Hudson Jeans. She was named “Model of The Year” in 2009 at The British Fashion Awards. She currently lives in Richmond.
Kate Moss
Born in Croydon in 1974, Kate Moss was discovered by Sarah Doukas, the founder of Storm Model agency at JFK airport in 1988. She made her first appearance in British Vogue in January 1993 and her first cover followed two months later photographed by Corinne Day. At the age of 18 she became the face of Calvin Klein and most famously appeared nude with Mark Wahlberg for Klein’s perfume advert for Obsession. Her face and look defined a generation and she continues to have a strong influence over fashion including launching her first Topshop collection in 2007. In 2002 she had a daughter Lila Grace with Jefferson Hack and in 2011 she married Kills guitarist Jamie Hince.
Stella Tennant
Born in December 1970 to the Honourable Toby Tennant and Lady Emma Cavendish, daughter of the current Duke of Devonshire, Stella started her modelling career by accompanying an editor friend to a fashion shoot with Steven Meisel who was in London looking for non-models for a British Vogue Story. She stepped on set with a nose-ring and refused to take it off – the rest is history. The next day she was flow to Paris for a Vogue Italia story and within weeks was walking the best shows in the fashion capitals of the world. She became the face of Versace and an editorial superstar appearing on countless covers. In 1996 she signed an exclusive contract with Chanel after becoming a muse for Karl Lagerfeld. In 1998 she announced her retirement and married French photographer David Lasnet in her native Scotland. She has four children and maintains a presence in the fashion industry featuring in advertising campaigns for Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs. Tennant has lent her support to the textile manufacturing industry of Scotland and is a champion of “Made in Great Britain.”
FURTHER FASHION CONTRIBUTORS
LOCOG and The British Fashion Council are also delighted to announce that the following British Designers dressed various performers during the course of the Closing Ceremony:
Tinie Tempah wore Burberry
Pet Shop Boys wore Gareth Pugh
Emeli Sande wore Alexander McQueen