London Fashion Week opened Friday on a sombre note, as Kanye West and Victoria Beckham joined some of the leading lights of the British industry at a memorial to inspirational tutor Louise Wilson. Catwalk shows were put on hold for the morning to remember the straight-talking 52-year-old, who was director of the fashion course Central Saint Martins (CSM) college for 22 years until her death last May. Wilson had a passion for riding, and a model wearing a black top hat, veil, jacket and trailing skirt by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen stood guard on a horse outside St Paul’s Cathedral as 1,300 guests mourned inside. Wilson’s alumni read like a roll call of London’s most talented designers, from the late McQueen to Stella McCartney, and many joined the family and friends in paying tribute.
