British Vogue February 2019

when, in march last year…

… it was announced that Riccardo Tisci, one of the most popular and respected minds working in fashion today, had been appointed chief creative officer at Burberry, I was simultaneously surprised and delighted: I knew it to be an excellent choice. In his blockbuster career, the charming, hyper-focused Italian has had many incarnations – from gothic master to the king of sports luxe – but you pigeonhole Riccardo at your risk. Above all, he is one of those rare, brilliant designers who can do anything. Of course, some questioned how an Italian might handle Britain’s most storied mega-brand. Luckily, Riccardo’s love and understanding of the UK runs deep. We first met in the late ’90s in London, when he moved here to study. He was great friends with the model Mariacarla…

backstage pass

CRAIG McDEAN; LUCIA PICA; CLARE SHILLAND; KENTA UMEMOTO; BJORN WEIDINGER…

new-season hits

1 PRINT MEDIA Make “eclectic and clashing pattern” your mantra. Every colour, every print. From geometric to check and floral… mash-up and wear all at once. 2 SILK TIED Whether you’re wearing a sweater, suit or everyday T-shirt, elevate your look with a wide silk-taffeta ribbon wrapped around the neck and fastened at the nape. 3 UBER-SCUBA Surf’s up this summer, but don’t think you can get away with bare feet. Cue the scuba sandal: wear with everything, on and off the beach. 4 LET SLIP This season’s negligees are too good to hide. Flaunt yours during daylight hours. 5 TUCK IN From leather jackets and satin bombers to tailored blazers… regardless of style, just bunch your top half into trousers. 6 GIVE IT LEGS You’re desperate to wear your summer dresses, but the weather tells you it’s too early. The…

suit yourself

Let’s face it: you need a suit. But where to start? Well, it’s all in the details: if spring’s oversized tailoring piques your interest, then choose a relaxed cut and pair with a tongue-in-cheek slogan sweater. When it comes to check-patterned iterations, dial down any corporate overtones with casual Friday-style socks or – even more unexpected – this season’s slouchy knee-high boots. As for after dark? Evening suits should come in second-skin cuts, and be worn with barely-there sandals. And don’t forget to add some statement earrings – they’re instantly transformative.…

size matters

down tools

Icould think of myriad places I’d rather be on a sweltering June day during the UK’s hottest summer on record than sat in a fusty flight simulator in south London. But it’s Father’s Day, and as the daughter of an aviation fanatic (and qualified hot air balloon pilot), it seems that when it came to picking a father-daughter bonding activity, I didn’t have a choice: Croydon airport was Dad’s desired destination. Yes, Croydon once had an airport. Now, it’s a micro-museum housed in the original art deco listed building. Dad was in heaven; me, less so. Utility has gone uptown, and the all-in-one is now servicing board meetings, not boilers That is, until I stumbled upon an old black and white photograph of Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly solo to…