The King & Queen Champion British Fashion In New Royal Portraits

Ahead of the Coronation, Buckingham Palace has unveiled new portraits of the King and Queen Consort in the Blue Drawing Room at the royal residence – and their outfits in photographer Hugo Burnand’s pictures are as carefully chosen as ever.

One notable break with tradition, however? How much Buckingham Palace has opted to share about said outfits. It’s not unusual for the Windsors to release portraits in commemoration of royal milestones, but it’s virtually unheard of for them to reveal exactly what they’re wearing. When Kensington Palace published the first official joint portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in June 2022, press were briefed on artist Jamie Coreth’s process, but no mention was made of Kate’s emerald-green Vampire’s Wife Falconetti dress.

When announcing the new images of the King and Queen Consort, however, Buckingham Palace provided details about both Their Majesties’ clothes and the jewellery worn by Camilla. While Charles opted for a suit by famed Savile Row tailor Anderson & Sheppard and a shirt courtesy of long-time royal suppliers Turnbull & Asser, the Queen Consort tapped British couturier Fiona Clare to design her blue wool crepe coat dress. In a symbolic gesture, she paired the look with a pair of earrings belonging to the late Queen, with the colours of the Union Jack represented by white pearls, red rubies and blue sapphires.

“I am immensely proud that The Queen Consort has chosen to wear one of my dresses,” Fiona tells Vogue. “I couldn’t wish for a higher accolade for my label. Her Majesty’s commitment to bespoke British designers who have a passion for excellence is hugely important for the fashion industry, and helps to highlight the skills involved in creating beautiful clothes and hats that last a lifetime.”

It’s a commitment that the Queen Consort shares with her husband of 18 years. “I mind about detail and colour and things like that – and colour combinations,” King Charles told British Vogue’s Edward Enninful of his approach to fashion in the December 2020 issue. “I’m lucky because I can find marvellous people who are brilliant makers of the things that I appreciate, and because of that, I try to keep them going for longer.” Also of utmost importance to the monarch? The sustainability of his clothes.

Ellie Goldstein Shares An Empowering Message About The First Barbie Doll With Down’s Syndrome

Ellie Goldstein, the model and current British Vogue cover star, has shared a powerful message about the first Barbie doll with Down’s syndrome.

“When I saw the doll, I felt so emotional and proud,” Ellie wrote on Instagram, adding: “It means a lot to me that children will be able to play with the doll and learn that everyone is different. I am proud that Barbie chose me to show the dolls to the world. Diversity is important as people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not be hidden away,” Ellie continued. “Barbie will help make this happen.”

The new Barbie doll came about in collaboration with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in the US, who advised on how to “accurately represent a person with Down’s syndrome” and “celebrate the Down’s syndrome community – through the Barbie’s clothing, accessories and packaging”.

The new Barbie will have “a rounder shape, smaller ears, and a flat nasal bridge, while the eyes are almond-shaped” said toymaker Mattel. “The doll’s palms even include a single line, a characteristic often associated with those with Down’s syndrome.”

“It was an honour working with Barbie on the Barbie doll with Down syndrome,” said Kandi Pickard, NDSS president and CEO. “This means so much for our community, who, for the first time, can play with a Barbie doll that looks like them. This Barbie serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of representation. It is a huge step forward for inclusion and a moment that we are celebrating.”

The unveiling of the doll comes amid Barbie mania ahead of the release of Greta Gerwig’s forthcoming “biopic”, starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. It also follows the release of British Vogue’s May issue, with its portfolio celebrating a new vanguard of Disabled talent. Ellie, who is one of the issue’s five cover stars, told Vogue how she feels about being a role model. “I feel lucky to be seen as a role model,” she said, “I want to show you can achieve anything if you really want to –never give up on your hopes, dreams and aspirations. My disability never stops me.”

Margot Robbie And Ryan Gosling Are Committed To Barbiecore

When Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling were first photographed on the set of their upcoming Greta Gerwig film Barbie last year, their neon-bright looks – heavy on the pink! – set off an entire fashion movement known as Barbiecore. Designers, street-style stars, and celebrities all of a sudden became obsessed with the bubblegum hue. And while the fad may have been usurped – a quieter, “stealth wealth” vibe is all the rage now, thanks to Succession – Robbie and Gosling are keeping the momentum going. On Tuesday, the co-stars kicked off their press tour for the film at CinemaCon in Las Vegas wearing complementary pink outfits.

It’s no surprise the two stars channelled their on-screen characters Barbie and Ken via their outfits. We’ll likely see them continue this fashion direction throughout the many premieres and screenings coming up. Robbie nodded to Barbie’s plastic-fantastic aesthetic with a matching gingham bra top and skirt by Prada, finished off with pink heeled mules by Christian Louboutin (not far off from the furry stilettos we saw a glimpse of her wearing in the film’s trailer). Gosling, meanwhile, did Ken’s himbo style justice with a pink bomber jacket, a “Greta Gerwig” slogan tee in Barbie font (a nice nod to the director), slim-fit jeans, and rugged desert boots.

Their coordinated ensembles were equal parts thematic and camp. Not to mention, fun! Start taking bets now on whether or not they will incorporate pink into every press appearance from here on out. Barbie and Ken would definitely approve.

Rochas Bids Adieu To Charles De Vilmorin

Two years after appointing Charles de Vilmorin as its creative director of Rochas, the company today announced the 26 year old’s exit. A gifted and imaginative illustrator capable of transmitting vivid moods and character, De Vilmorin was widely hailed a wunderkind when Rochas handed him the gig in February 2021. That was only three weeks after the recent graduate of the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Parisienne had shown his buzzy debut couture collection – back in the dog days of Covid-enforced digital presentations – with the backing of Jean Paul Gaultier, winning positive reviews. That same year he was named an LVMH Prize finalist.

However the hoopla that surrounded his appointment to Rochas generated a weight of expectation that proved too heavy to handle. Despite then being, at 24, one year older that founder Marcel Rochas was when he launched the house in 1925, De Vilmorin failed convincingly to gel his exuberant design identity with the opaque, ultra-feminine house codes of Rochas. Possibly in part because the Rochas design studio is based in Milan, the patrician-seeming Parisian and the house he was charged with reigniting generated little spark.

Rochas was acquired by fragrance group Interparfums for $108 million in 2015, and its ready-to-wear is manufactured under license by HIM Co Spa in Italy. Today Philippe Benacin, CEO of Interparfums SA, said: “We would like to thank Charles for his contribution to the legacy of Rochas. His creative vision will have a long lasting impact on the brand’s universe.” De Vilmorin was recently named president of the fashion jury for this October’s edition of the Hyères International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Fashion Accessories. An announcement about Rochas’s future creative direction will be made at a later date.

Bruno Sialelli To Leave Lanvin After Four Years As Creative Director

Bruno Sialelli, who was appointed creative director of Lanvin in 2019, is stepping down from his role at the house, it was confirmed today.

The news comes as Lanvin shifts its structure, with the house focusing on leather goods, accessories and special projects going forward, and the launch of Lanvin Lab, a collaborative initiative which will see the brand partner with international creative talents. It will exist alongside the mainline ready-to-wear collections, shown at Paris Fashion Week, and according to WWD, the first guest talent will be announced imminently.

Sialelli joined the house as an unknown French designer, moving from the menswear division at Loewe. “I am delighted and honoured to join Lanvin, a house founded by a visionary woman who, among the first French couturiers, dared to offer a global universe with a very wide field of expression,” he said at the time. “Bringing emotions through compelling stories and defining a modern attitude are going to be exciting challenges in continuing this legacy.”

The designer showed Lanvin’s autumn/winter 2023 collection in Paris in March, drawing on the 1978 Éric Rohmer film Perceval le Gallois, as well as 1981’s Possession, starring Isabelle Adjani, to create ladylike double-layered blazers and sharp-shouldered jackets in a muted palette.

Anya Taylor-Joy Showed Up In Character To The Super Mario Premiere

Anya Taylor-Joy always makes a statement on the red carpet. Recently, the actor has delivered plenty of Old Hollywood gowns and throwback silhouettes. But for her latest press tour, the star is channelling a slightly more unexpected muse: Princess Peach. At the premiere of her forthcoming film, The Super Mario Bros Movie, in Los Angeles at the weekend, Joy evoked the video game character in a head-to-toe pink ensemble. It’s a fitting choice, given that Taylor-Joy voices Peach in the animated project, which co-stars Chris Pratt as Mario and Jack Black as Bowser.

If you’ve ever played the Mario games, you know that Peach is often touted as the damsel in distress with a penchant for frothy pink princess gowns. But in the new Super Mario Bros Movie, Peach looks ready to kick some evil Bowser butt – and Taylor-Joy’s action-ready look on the red carpet reflected this shift. The actor wore a pink leather jumpsuit by Dior that nodded to Peach’s signature hue, but her accessories – like the biker gloves and chunky pink moto boots – had a decidedly sportier feel (they’re also totally ready to race in, if she was competing in Mario Kart). The style choice was a cheeky nod to her character, and something tells us there’s even more pink looks to come. Maybe she’ll even wear her crown next.