New York Fashion Week is officially over and now it's time for London Fashion Week to take the reins. On September 14, the long-anticipated Vogue World: London rang in the fashion festivities on British soil, bringing an evening of "fashion fantasia" to the capital's theatrical district.
Held at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Vogue World: London was the second edition of the event, held almost exactly a year after the inaugural showcase in New York, which celebrated Vogue's 130th anniversary. Bringing together all the biggest names from show business, the evening was a celebration of fashion and art. (ICYMI: ticket proceeds went to support performing arts organizations, including the National Theatre, the Royal Opera House, South Bank Sinfonia, and the Rambert dance company.)
During the full duration of Vogue World: London, we were witness to performances galore and models strutting down the runway in pieces by the likes of Burberry, Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY, Erdem, and Maison Margiela — among many others.
In case you didn't get a chance to tune in or are looking for an excuse to justify rewatching the livestream, here are the five best moments you from Vogue World: London 2023:
1. The star-studded red carpet
Before the actual event even started, we were already in for a treat with attendees gracing the red carpet at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London's West End. While ome of our favorite artists from the U.S. made the trek to London to attend the event (like Dove Cameron, who was just at the VMAs 2023 a couple of days ago), it was homegrown British talent that really stole the show. Case in point: All of favorites actors from Heartstopper, Sex Education, and Bridgerton. Some of the biggest and buzziest names in fashion, from duo Chopova Lowena to Simone Rocha and plenty of models, were also in attendance. That said, the most headline-worthy red carpet moment came by way of Sienna Miller, who bared her baby bump in Schiaparelli for the occasion.
2. Legend Kate Moss opening the show alongside Hongni Wu's opera
Legendary supermodel Kate Moss opened the show with a walk through the backstage area. She then briefly modeled through a piece of sheer fabric, demonstrating her ability to make any prop pop as she gave her best poses. At the same time, Royal Opera House singer Hongni Wu emerged from the crowd, singing “Dido’s Lament” from Dido & Aenaes by Henry Purcell. The screen wall then opened, and Moss walked through onto the stage. Wu also took the stage, and the duo briefly posed together, arms reaching towards each other. After a moment, Moss walked away, leaving the stage to walk the runway, which extended through the crowd.
3. FKA Twigs merging music, fashion, and dance
FKA Twigs made her way to the stage mid-show. Her acrobatic movement style and angelic singing took the Vogue World stage by storm. She was joined by members of the Rambert Dance Company. The "cellophane" singer wore a black cut-out bodysuit by Laquan Smith with black heels to match. FKA Twigs performed her own rendition of “It’s a Fine Day” by Opus III while models like Cara Delevingne and Jordan Barrett strutted around on the stage and through the crowd. Her performance, connected with the others of the night, paid homage to London’s vibrant arts and cultural scene. It was one to watch amidst the many musical and theatre performances.
4. Stormzy's electrifying performance
Shortly after FKA Twigs left the stage, the spotlight immediately went to grime star Stormzy, who took the stage wearing a brown suit adorned by a glittering silver brooch of the signature logo of the late British designer Vivienne Westwood. The singer-songwriter began to perform his 2019 hit song “Crown” as actor Sophie Okonedo entered the stage behind him. She was trailed by three other models, who dressed her in a hand-painted Elizabethean-inspired gown from Vivienne Westwood. Okonedo then ended the segment with an emotional monologue.
5. The most iconic supermodels from the '90s reuniting on the runway to close the night
There’s only one way to close the 2023 Vogue World London event and that is with “The Supers.” Christy Turlington Burns, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, and Cindy Crawford all made their final walk down the theatrical runway during Vogue World, which was perfectly fitting. The foursome graced the cover of American Vogue this September going into detail about their career and journey being what is considered to be fashion’s first crop of supermodels. Their legendary walks and personalities got them to this point and closing Vogue World was the perfect way to her in London Fashion Week. Christy’s look was from Fendi’s fall 2023 collection, Linda wore Valentino, Naomi was in Alexander McQueen and Cindy wore Versace. The women strutted out as Annie Lennox sang “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).”
If you want even more, check out the full Vogue World: London replay below:
