On the final day of London Fashion Week , actors, runway regulars, designers and Vogue editors gathered in the capital for a very different kind of fashion-focused extravaganza: a special screening of the buzzy new Disney+ docuseries In Vogue: The 90s . Co-hosted by Hamish Bowles, Edward Enninful and Anna Wintour – all of whom appear in this star-studded deep dive into the most turbulent and transformative decade in fashion, as well as serving as executive producers – the event brought together series contributors including Stella McCartney, Kristen McMenamy and Rosemary Ferguson alongside the likes of Alexa Chung, Jourdan Dunn, AJ Odudu and Amelia Dimoldenberg. After walking the red carpet, attendees grabbed cartons of truffle-flavoured popcorn and began taking their seats for a showing of the first episode of the era-spanning six-part series.
Before the lights went down, Roksanda Ilinčić and Christopher Kane were seen chatting happily in the aisle, while fashion legend Stephen Jones could be spotted from across the room on account of his bright red beret. The excitement was palpable. Then, Diego Londono, Disney’s executive vice president, media networks and content, took to the stage to introduce the show, describing it as “a thrilling journey across continents and through 10 years that changed fashion forever”, before handing over to a beaming Enninful.
“When Anna, Hamish, Tonne [Goodman], Mark [Guiducci] and I got together to produce this series, we knew we had a great subject, one which we all lived through the first time,” Vogue ’s global creative and cultural advisor told the audience. “We were clear that we wanted the series to be as authentic as possible. We examined every issue on a granular level so that we could create something that captured the magic and spirit of that incredible decade – one which shifted fashion and creativity.
We called on an army of subjects who were pivotal during that time, and we’re so grateful for all the time they gave to us to share their memories. We hope this is a great starting point for remembering everything that made the ’90s so special – and we hope you enjoy the ride as much as we did.” The crowd certainly did, falling into a rapt silence during the opening moments of the episode, titled “All Change at Vogue”, as we’re taken from Wintour’s office in One World Trade to Enninful as he travels into work, and then to the series’ truly jaw-dropping array of contributors: everyone from Tom Ford and Naomi Campbell to Claudia Schiffer, Linda Evangelista, Nicole Kidman, Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham, Missy Elliot, Sarah Jessica Parker, Tyson Beckford, Miuccia Prada, Hillary Clinton, Marc Jacobs and Gwyneth Paltrow.
What do the ’90s mean to them? Well, a wide range of things, though Stella McCartney’s response to this question feels the most apt. “Way too much fun,” replies the designer. “And way too messy.
” And we see exactly that, in all its thrilling, chaotic, unvarnished glory over the next 50 or so minutes, as the episode tracks Wintour’s arrival at American Vogue in the late ’80s and her determination to shake things up with then-controversial cover stars such as Madonna; the rise of the supermodels via George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90” video; the emergence of Kate Moss as a fresh face who challenged existing beauty standards; the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic; and the influence of John Galliano, who was part of a fashion revolution that was brewing across the pond in London. There were big laughs throughout (at Wintour refusing to take off her sunglasses for the camera; at Enninful saying that Naomi Campbell “gets away with murder” because she’s so stunning; at Tonne Goodman describing a young Mark Wahlberg’s body as “awesome”), as well as a couple of gasps (at Kim Kardashian revealing that she was once Madonna’s dog walker) and much applause and cheering once the credits rolled. After that, viewers headed to the rooftop reception, where chilled flutes of champagne and spicy margaritas were served alongside miniature quiches with rhubarb, crackers piled high with crab salad, tiny violet potatoes topped with cherry tomatoes and lobster-filled saffron arancini.
As a rosy sunset gave way to a glittering nocturnal cityscape, Nadine Ijewere and Charlie Casely-Hayford took in the views, Wintour was spotted deep in conversation with Stephen Daldry, and Enninful held court at the bar with Emma Weymouth, AJ Odudu and Daniel Lismore. See inside the glamorous celebration, below. The first three episodes of In Vogue: The 90s are streaming now on Disney+, with the final three episodes due to land on 20 September.
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