Condé Nast has been actively shifting its focus from text and print publications to offline events with large-scale broadcasts and other spectacular content. One of its recent initiatives is Vogue World, which was launched two years ago. Let's recap the previous stops of the show in New York and London and take a look at what we know about the upcoming show that will take place this Sunday on the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
The first show, combined with a large street fair, was organized by Vogue back in 1914. Amidst World War I, they decided to hold a celebration to raise funds for the Committee of Mercy, which supported women and children in conflict zones. The article from the November 1st issue recounts the story of a young girl who was approached by a manager with a "highly annoying demeanor" and told that the experienced and acclaimed actress would not be able to make it, so she had to take on the lead role in the play. "When you, as a naive and innocent girl, suddenly emerge as a leading lady, the pain of growing up must be very intense," writes the author.
The first stop was, of course, New York, which had to take the lead in the fashion drama while Paris took a pause. "The city must grow up in fifteen minutes and emerge from the curtain as calmly and silently as if it had been playing the lead role for many years," the article says. The Fashion Fête, as it was called, opened at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on November 4th and continued for two more evenings. New York brands presented clothing in five categories (afternoon and evening dresses, robes, custom suits with hats and fur coats, and shawls) to the public and a jury of seven social women, female business executives, bankers, ministers, and senators: Ernesta Iselin, William K. Vanderbilt, Ogden L. Mills, James B. Duke, Harry Payne Whitney, J. Gordon Douglas, and Arthur Scott Burden. Anne Harriman Vanderbilt, wife of William K. Vanderbilt, was also part of the jury.
In honor of Vogue's 130th anniversary and 108 years after the Fashion Fête, Anna Wintour decided to revive the grand event during New York Fashion Week. So, on September 12, 2022, in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan, there was a fair of local brands, including pop-up shops of major global brands. This was followed by the highly anticipated fashion show, directed by renowned Bureau Betak. The show was opened by Serena Williams in a custom Balenciaga dress and cape, accompanied by four young tennis players dressed in vibrant Nike outfits. It's worth noting that Serena was also on the cover of Vogue's September issue a couple of weeks prior, wearing an ensemble by Demna Gvasalia.
On the runway, which resembled a dance floor (thanks in part to the choreography of the Ooh La La troupe from Howard University), Jill Kortleve, Candice Swanepoel, Jeremy O'Harris, Erykah Badu, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Shalom Harlow, Gigi and Bella Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Irina Shayk, Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, Paloma Elsesser, and Precious Lee walked in dazzling and reflective outfits. They showcased designs from Balenciaga, Dior, Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Burberry, Coach, Michael Kors, Brother Vellies, Bode, Conner Ives, Christopher John Rogers, Collina Strada, Matty Bovan, Ralph Lauren, and Tory Burch from their Fall/Winter 2022 collections (and a few resort pieces). The Vogue team, led by fashion editor Alex Harrington, curated these looks. Many of the pieces were made available for purchase through Vogue's partners, including Moda Operandi, Mytheresa, Net-a-Porter, Nordstrom, and Ssense.
The grand finale of Vogue World: New York, held under the lights of West 13th Street, featured a performance by Lil Nas X, dressed in silver crop-top and trousers, singing "Industry Baby."
A year after its debut in New York, Vogue World landed in London's West End, attracting traffic comparable to the Met Gala and achieving commercial success (tickets ranged from $130 to $3000). Anna Wintour, collaborating with Edward Enninful this time, enlisted the renowned director Stephen Daldry, known for his work on "The Crown" and "Billy Elliot," to organize the show. The aim of the event was explained as follows: "Art in the UK is under threat, and Vogue World will be a timely reminder of how important it is, how significant a part of our lives it is, and how much it needs support." The net proceeds from ticket sales were donated to local cultural institutions, including the National Theatre, the Royal Opera House, the Southbank Sinfonia, and the Rambert dance company.
Vogue World: London took place at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on September 14, just before London Fashion Week. The show was opened, of course, by Kate Moss. While the longtime friend of the British supermodel, John Galliano, adjusted the hem of his lamé creation, Hunnie Wu from the Royal Opera Theatre sang Henry Purcell's "When I Am Laid In Earth."
Then, when the audience had had their fill of pop culture, FKA Twigs took the stage with her song "It's a Fine Day" by Opus III, accompanied by dancers from the Rambert Dance Company, Cara Delevingne, and Jordan Barrett. They were followed by Stormzy and Sophie Okonedo. Sophie appeared in a nightshirt, which was later covered with a couture dress by Vivienne Westwood, inspired by the Fall 1997 collection.
The following performances included a modern reading of "Romeo and Juliet" by Tom Sturridge and Helena Wilson, a production featuring Sienna Miller, James McAvoy, Kash Jumbo, Damien Lewis, and James Corden, and the almost final act with Annie Lennox performing her hit "Sweet Dreams" ("Are Made of This"). Finally, for the grand finale of Vogue World: London, the heroines of the yet-to-be-released Apple TV+ series "The Supermodels" reunited on stage: Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Linda Evangelista.
This Sunday at 21:00 Moscow time, the next stop of Vogue World awaits us—a show dedicated to the Olympics and meant to be an ode to sports. This year's event, taking place on Place Vendôme in Paris, will be led by Carine Roitfeld, Ib Kamara, and curator Alexander Samson of the Galerie Museum. The artistic direction and choreography will be curated by New Zealand dancer Parris Goebel. Pat McGrath will be the show's lead makeup artist, and the live broadcast will be directed by Sam Rentch, known for his work on Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour" film.
