“We’ve worked really hard on them over time to make the sizing and the fit really democratic for lots of different sizes,” Lee told The Telegraph backstage. Indeed her model casting was one of the most diverse we have seen all week. “I always want to show that the woman is wearing the dress, rather than the dress overtaking the woman.”
In Lee’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection, that signature mottled silk material was reimagined in new silhouettes, spanning high-low trapeze hems and ruffle maxis with draped backs. The inky polka dot print which Starmer and several of the models debuted was inspired by the tapestry artist Carolina Mazzolari – she too was in the audience, wearing a sharp suit with a shirt printed in their collaborative design.
Victoria Starmer continues a tradition of Britain’s “first ladies” supporting London Fashion Week. Predecessors, such as Samantha Cameron and Sarah Brown, thoroughly enjoyed this ambassadorial role. Others such as Carrie Johnson, never sat on a front row and shied away from supporting the industry.
Why does it matter? The fashion industry contributed £28.9 billion to GDP in 2021 and employs over 800,000 people nationwide – a “first lady” can act as a poster woman, of sorts, drawing attention to fledgling businesses and big brands alike.