A Royal Surprise: Queen Elizabeth II Attends London Fashion Week for the First Time

By this time, you’ve probably seen the storm of photos published online of Queen Elizabeth II casually sitting beside the Queen of Vogue, Anna Wintour, in a fashion show at London Fashion Week. The long reigning monarch surprised the world and made headlines by attending the show of young British designer Richard Quinn last February 20, 2018. Many asked, “What about Richard Quinn caught the Queen’s eye? Why did Queen Elizabeth attend this particular fashion show?”

Queen Elizabeth II and Anna Wintour; IMAGE: Yui Mok/PA Wire URN:35112178
Queen Elizabeth II and Anna Wintour; IMAGE: Yui Mok/PA Wire URN:35112178


Beyond the media frenzy and the public’s obsession with royals and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Queen Elizabeth’s visit to the London catwalk was not unplanned.  The British queen was at Quinn’s show to present him the very first Queen Elizabeth II award for British Design. A new honor to be presented annually to emerging talents in the world of design. Winners are decided upon by the British Fashion Council, which Vogue.UK calls “a royal stamp of approval”.

Queen Elizabeth II presenting the award to fashion designer Richard Quinn; IMAGE: Harper's Bazar
Queen Elizabeth II presenting the award to fashion designer Richard Quinn; IMAGE: Harper’s Bazar
Richard Quinn, IMAGE: grabbed from Zhiboxs
Richard Quinn, IMAGE: grabbed from Zhiboxs


Dressed in a baseball cap and plaid polo shirt, Quinn received the award from the 91 year-old-queen, who wore a duck-egg blue dress and jacket. Later on, Quinn described the entire experience as “surreal”. Only his second year in London Fashion Week, the Packham-based designer is a graduate at Central Saint Martins. This new collection featured a variety of modern cuts and silhouettes in bright, printed fabrics. Some entire outfits, made entirely out of scarves, were said to be inspired by Her Majesty’s Balmoral wardrobe.


By Chino R. Hernandez

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