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Straight from the pages of the most iconic fashion publication in the world, The Vogue Festival 2013 comes to London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room on April 27 and 28, bringing a who’s who list of designers, models and fashion icons.
The two-day schedule is packed with talks and discussions featuring inspirational fashion names, from veteran photographer Mario Testino and eccentric Vogue Japan editor-at-large Anna Dello Russo to Spice Girl-turned-designer Victoria Beckham. With Alexa Chung, Donatella Versace, Tamara Mellon and current catwalk and ad campaign favorite Cara Delevingne on hand, many other famous fashion names will be showing their faces over the weekend.
Visitors can also pose for their own take-away Vogue cover shoot after some expert touching up courtesy of Chanel; receive tutorials from Yves Saint Laurent makeup artists; have their locks twisted into all manner of tricky ‘do’ at the Vogue braid bar; and gain first-hand expert advice on building a career in fashion from a host of industry insiders.
Here are some highlights to pencil in:
Saturday
Can Fashion Change The World?
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Vivienne Westwood, aka the “grand dame of fashion,” is joined by Eco Age Ltd creative director Livia Firth (wife of Academy Award-winning actor Colin Firth), designer Katharine Hamnett and reportage photographer Tom Craig in a discussion on the ways in which fashion can influence the way we live, convey important messages and change perceptions.
Paul Smith And Alexa Chung
3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
The British fashion designer, who received a knighthood in 2000, chats with English-born model and Vogue contributing editor Alexa Chung about spending more than 40 years in the fashion business, defining British style and what it takes to stay at the forefront of fashion.
Michael Kors
6 – 7 p.m.
The New York designer ends the day’s program of speakers by discussing his life and career with his friend, model Yasmin le Bon.
Sunday
Victoria Beckham: My Fashion Life
11 a.m. – noon
The first talk of the day is an hour-long session with the global brand that is Victoria Beckham, covering her life, her work and the creation of her critically acclaimed fashion label.
Mario Testino: My World And How I Live It
1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
The veteran photographer — who’s captured everyone from supermodels to superstar musicians, including royal commissions such as the official engagement shots of Prince William and Kate Middleton — discusses his journey in the photography world and the people he’s met along the way with Vogue fashion director Lucinda Chambers.
Donatella Versace: A Woman Of Our Time
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
As chief designer and vice president of the Versace Group (and one of the most iconic faces in fashion), Donatella discusses her career and work to date.
Getting There
The Vogue Festival in association with Vertu is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, SE1. The nearest underground and train station is Waterloo station. Tickets start at £30. For more information and to book individual talks, visit the official website.
Photos courtesy of Pierpaolo Ferrari, Alex Bramall, Trent McGinn and London Vogue Festival
