Richard Quinn delivers a beautiful tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II in his latest collection at London Fashion Week
Richard Quinn paid a beautiful tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II in his Fall/Winter 2024 collection during London Fashion Week.
The London-based designer presented his glamorous range against a lush floral backdrop in the historic Grade II listed ballroom at Andaz London yesterday.
After dedicating his Spring/Summer 2023 collection to Queen Elizabeth, who touched him “among so many others with her grace and kindness”, Quinn is believed to have drawn inspiration from the late monarch and other members of the royal family this season.
The collection featured vintage-inspired bridal wear that accentuated the curves of the female figure, creating a sense of high society elegance. Accompanied by a string quartet and a pianist, the showcase created a harmonious atmosphere.
Richard Quinn’s connection to Queen Elizabeth dates back to 2018, when she attended one of his shows and subsequently presented him with the first Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.
Richard Quinn paid beautiful tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II in his Fall/Winter 2024 collection at London Fashion Week
A striking ivory dress, with a crystal-embellished bodice and full skirt, seemed to draw inspiration from Queen Elizabeth’s famous Peau De Soie taffeta dress.
The dress was designed by Sir Norman Hartnell and worn by Her Majesty at the 1962 film premiere of Lawrence Of Arabia at the Leicester Square Odeon in London, where she met leading actor Peter O’Toole.
Princess Beatrice later wore the royal design to her wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on July 17, 2020 – with the addition of puffed organza sleeves and a satin duchess hem.
Elsewhere, an ivory lace dress with ruffles evoked memories of a dress worn by Queen Elizabeth in 1952.
Reminiscent of the monarch’s design, Richard Quinn’s dramatic ball gown featured a fitted bodice and a tiered lace skirt that gracefully swept the floor.
Richard Quinn also presented a lace dress with ruffles reminiscent of one worn by Queen Elizabeth in 1952.
A black velvet dress looked strikingly similar to the one Queen Elizabeth wore when she met Marilyn Monroe in 1956
The London-based designer even completed the look with extra-long satin gloves, just like his royal muse did.
Queen Elizabeth debuted her dress when she met seven Commonwealth Prime Ministers and two Chancellors of the Exchequer at the Economics Conference in London on December 4, 1952.
Another design, cut from lush black velvet, looked strikingly similar to the dress worn by Queen Elizabeth at the 1956 Royal Film Performance.
The late royal was photographed donning a black velvet dress as she arrived at the Empire Theater with sister Princess Margaret on October 29, 1956 – and later shook hands with Marilyn Monroe.
Quinn interpreted the style with an off-the-shoulder neckline and dropped waist, but added a fishtail hem to contrast Elizabeth’s A-line silhouette.
One model glided down the catwalk in a ruffled dress, similar to the one Princess Margaret wore in 1952
Queen Elizabeth II attends Richard Quinn’s London Fashion Week show on February 20, 2018
Queen Elizabeth II presents Richard Quinn with the first Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design on February 20, 2018 in London
Meanwhile, a nod to Princess Margaret’s elegant style was visible in a black satin dress with ruffles.
The striking ensemble featured draped fabric over the shoulders and a flowing skirt, inspired by Margaret’s famous 1952 Dior dress, which also influenced the Emanuel dress worn by Princess Diana during her first official public engagement with Prince Charles.
Richard Quinn’s connection to Queen Elizabeth dates back to 2018, when she attended one of his London Fashion Week shows, sitting next to Anna Wintour in the front row.
She then presented Quinn, then an emerging designer, with the first Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.
His show notes for autumn/winter 2024 read: ‘Unconcerned with the hype, the clothes are there to be cherished and will be passed from mother to daughter in the days to come.
‘From their internal structures to their external constructions, these pieces focus on form, volume and craftsmanship, recognizing the art of fashion design.’