The V&A: Craig Lawrence and Alexandra Shulman

The V&A is renowned for drawing flocks of people from all over the country to see its outstanding fashion exhibitions and events, so when I saw there was a free catwalk show to attend to and an evening with none other than the British Vogue Editor all in the same day, there was no question about it. Within seconds I was booking my tickets without giving it a second thought.

First up in the afternoon was the catwalk show in the museum’s Raphael Gallery by Craig Lawrence, who was the current subject of the V&A’s Fashion In Motion event. He’s a British knitwear designer who, although maybe being the least well-known designer ever to be chosen for the event, has actually designed six seasons for Gareth Pugh and his ever-growing fanbase includes the likes of Tilda Swinton, Lady Gaga and Bjork.

Lawrence studied at Central Saint Martins where he developed his trademark of using yarns wrapped in metallic foil which appears in nearly every piece he creates. It’s this unconventional use of materials, such as metallic yarns, sweet wrappers and bin bags, that make his collections so distinctive.

On July 20^th it was no different and a textural explosion was sent down the runway in a colour palette of sugary pinks and luxurious golds, balanced out with neutral blacks and beiges. Lawrence had once again created extremely bold and brash shapes in a very feminine way. ‘Fluffy’ and ‘shiny’ are trademark of Lawrence’s work, which was evident when a dress made entirely of sweetie-pink pom-poms sailed past, followed by a gold foil dress that rustled only like a giant Quality Street wrapper could.

In the evening there was the much anticipated talk in the Lecture Theatre with British Vogue Editor in Chief, Alexandra Shulman, where she appeared in conversation with journalist Francine Stock. The talk was created to celebrate Shulman’s 20 year career at the magazine, and also to promote her new novel, ‘Can We Still Be Friends?’ We were focused on a whirlwind history of pivotal Vogue covers from throughout her career at Vogue, before delving into questions about her new book.

She discussed putting an M&S shirt on Amber Valetta on one cover, Kate Moss in the style of David Bowie on another; catastrophe covers (apparently group cover shots sell the worst) and occasionally we stumbled across covers that she couldn’t even remember doing! Ms Shulman has never shied away from a controversial cover and instead embraces the idea, which is why British Vogue has become the daring, occasionally tongue-in-cheek publication it is today.

Her journalistic career started at GQ, so it’s no surprise that Shulman’s priorities lie in business and breaking journalism first, and fashion second. However it becomes quite clear early on that she has the personality cut just right to be at the helm of a leading fashion magazine - her blunt retorts and straight to the point answers are almost a mandatory trait to be an Editor in Chief, yet apart from that she plays to none of the 'Devil Wears Prada’ stereotypes that were expected.

Alexandra Shulman on the left, and Francine Stock on the right, questioning the idea of putting Bono on a cover
-Bad quality as this one was taken on my phone-

Keep smiling x