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. In honour of Wilson’s passion for riding, 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. The catwalk schedule was suspended for the morning to remember the straight-talking 52-year-old, who was director of the fashion course Central Saint Martins (CSM) college for 12 years until her death last May. 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.
