To determine London Fashion Week’s top model, we took into account the number of opening and closing spots, the amount of runways walked, and presence at Tom Ford’s totally normal show. Though Cara Delevingne didn’t book the latter, she did turn up on eight catwalks, opened Issa and Topshop Unique, and closed Mulberry, Peter Pilotto, and Matthew Williamson — making her our No. 1. Edie Campbell snagged Burberry’s first and last looks, and L.A. native Athena Wilson gender-bent from House of Holland to Mary Katrantzou. Click ahead to see who else made our list of London’s finest.
Cara Delevingne (Storm)
Cara, the duchess of the catwalk, booked eight shows and opened or closed five of them. When not at work, she “took the thumping music” at Rihanna for River Island “as an opportunity to grind up on any/all other British celebs in attendance,” helped Rihanna leave a nightclub the following evening after a fan threw an energy drink bottle at the pop star, performed the knockoff Harlem Shake, hung out with Harry Styles and Rita Ora, and fell down a flight of stairs at a house party. Headlines have already dubbed her “the next Kate Moss.” She certainly sounds like a good time. Show list: Burberry Prorsum, Giles, Issa (opened), Matthew Williamson (closed), Mulberry (closed), Peter Pilotto (closed), Sister by Sibling, and Topshop Unique (opened).
Edie Campbell (Viva London)
After leading the model procession at Marc Jacobs, the Brit won LFW’s highest honor: the opening and closing slots at Burberry. No surprise here — she began her relationship with the brand in 2006 — but how about her hair? We thought the dirty blonde with bangs and a long mane was wearing a wig at Marc; however, her look appears to be the real deal. Show list: Burberry Prorsum (opened and closed), and Giles.
Liya Kebede
If you could only open one London show, it was Tom Ford. If you could only walk in one London show, it was Tom Ford. Show list: Tom Ford (opened)
Athena Wilson (Models 1)
For her second London Fashion Week, the L.A. native added nine shows to her roster. She booked prominent spots at House of Holland and Mary Katrantzou — probably the loudest brands on the schedule — and proved she can pull off a tailored suit as well as a billowing gown. Hedi, have you met Athena? Show list: Daks (closed), House of Holland (opened and closed), Issa, Julien Macdonald, Mary Katrantzou (closed), Matthew Williamson, Moschino Cheap & Chic, Mulberry, and Richard Nicoll.
Jourdan Dunn (Storm)
Though Jourdan nabbed a single closing slot, her show list was pretty strong — she even walked at Tom Ford, with the likes of Liya Kebede, Anja Rubik, Arizona Muse, Joan Smalls, Karlie Kloss, Fei Fei Sun, Karmen Pedaru, Lily Donaldson, and Liu Wen. Yeah, she’s that level. Show list: Burberry Prorsum, Christopher Kane, Issa, Peter Pilotto, Richard Nicoll, Tom Ford, and Topshop Unique (closed).
Iris van Berne (Next)
After turns on eighteen New York runways, Iris booked what we’d like to refer to as the Pippa Middleton Double Whammy (opening and closing Temperley London), and walked in both the ‘berry shows (Burberry and Mulberry). She reminds us of Tinkerbell — not in a bad way — but we sort of want to send her to Rick Owens and see what happens. Show list: Antonio Berardi, Burberry Prorsum, Christopher Kane, Mulberry, Richard Nicholl, and Temperley London (opened and closed).
Marine Deleeuw (Premier)
Sure, her show list is ‘berry-free, but this Frenchie walked ten runways and closed Christopher Kane, one of London’s most-watched designers, thanks to PPR’s recent acquisition. We also applaud her for keeping J.W. Anderson’s white, Vans-like shoes squeaky clean. Show list: Christopher Kane (closed), Erdem, Jonathan Saunders, J.W. Anderson, Marios Schwab, Moschino Cheap & Chic (closed), Peter Pilotto, Preen, Richard Nicoll, and Topshop Unique.
Antonina “Tonya” Vasylchenko (IMG)
After signing with IMG a year ago, the young Ukrainian swiftly became a chameleon, able to wear any outfit handed to her. And her sundry show list illustrated this. Show list: Issa, Julien Macdonald, Marios Schwab (opened), Matthew Williamson, Moschino Cheap & Chic, Peter Pilotto, Preen, Sass & Bide, Tom Ford, and Topshop Unique.
Ji Young Kwak (Elite)
It appears Ji Young joined Elite a week ago, which makes her London Fashion Week performance all the more impressive. We don’t know much about her (yet), but it speaks volumes that she opened for Simone Rocha — emerging talents helping emerging talents. Show list: Antipodium, Christopher Kane, Jean-Pierre Braganza, Moschino Cheap & Chic, Richard Nicoll (closed), Simone Rocha (opened), and Zoe Jordan.
