Mid-year was the time we mourned the loss one of fashion’s most loved (and feared) characters, following the sad news of Professor Louise Wilson’s passing. Students, colleagues and friends all paid their condolences to the outspoken teacher who was revered for her work as a fashion educator for some of the best at Central Saint Martins.
The coveted CSM BA show presented its most recent set of grads, with Gracie Wales Bonner winning the L’Oreal prize with her ’70s inspired collection. And just a day later, the Royal College of Art’s grads showed what they had to offer, with Caitlin Charles-Jones and James Kelly amongst the favourites. Graduate fashion week kicked off later that week.
Another cause to celebrate was Thomas Tait (a grad from Wilson herself) took home the inaugural LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designer of the year. Tait had placed his feet firmly on the fashion map, with a stand out sc-fi inspired show held in a Soho car park the previous year.
The Met Ball was also the most photographed event on Instagram, with guests attending under the museum’s exhibition theme of Charles James: Beyond Fasion. That same month, Harvey Weinstein began licensing the re-launch of the British designer, known to many as “America’s first couturier.”
Indeed, we rushed to Instagram for a chance to see the quickest uploaded snaps of who wore what on The Met’s red carpet. No surprise then that the CFDA introduced its very first “Instagrammer of the Year” award – an advance that was met with equal parts disgust and delight.
Credits
Photography Benjamin Alexander Huseby, Styling Beth Fenton.
Thomas Tait wears all clothing Thomas Tait.
[The Beautiful Issue, no. 333, Fall 14]