Emilia Wickstead, the New Zealand-born designer who has crafted a quintessentially British brand over the past 16 years, hosted an intimate dinner at the Royal Geological Society following the debut of her Spring 2025 collection. The event, a collaboration with Vogue100, transformed the stately hall into a breathtaking setting, adorned with cascading lilies and orchids. A live band, clad in double-breasted white coats, filled the historic space with music.
Wickstead dedicated the evening to the influential photographer Gisèle Freund, a figure who deeply inspired the collection. Freund, renowned for capturing portraits of 20th-century cultural icons like James Joyce, Collette, and Virginia Woolf, embodied a spirit of artistic courage and resilience. Her signature use of color, with shades like smoke gray, turquoise, and rose, found its way into Wickstead’s designs, mirroring Freund’s bold approach to artistry.
Freund’s life, marked by transience and adversity, mirrored the themes of strength and resilience found within Wickstead’s collection. Born in Berlin to a family of Jewish textile manufacturers, Freund narrowly escaped Nazi persecution and fled to Paris. Throughout her life, she moved between France, Mexico, and Argentina, often facing challenges and adversity.
The event saw a gathering of prominent figures from the worlds of film, art, fashion, and the Olympics, all adorned in Wickstead’s exquisite creations. Among the esteemed guests were Sarah Harris and Laura Ingham of British Vogue, Adedayo, Lara Stone, Naomie Harris, Hikari Yokoyama, Kelly Rutherford, Mia Regan, Rachel Jones, and Markella Kavenagh.
“This is a special tribute to Gisèle,” Wickstead shared with her guests as they settled in for the evening. “I have always wanted to host Vogue100 and it is wonderful to have British Vogue and American Vogue collide at the same table.”
The evening served as a powerful testament to the enduring influence of Gisèle Freund and a celebration of the artistic spirit she embodied. It was a night where fashion, art, and the spirit of resilience intertwined, creating a truly unforgettable experience.
