Fashion Editors. The New Black?

Anna Dello Russo

In a world obsessed with age, it came as a surprise to me to read an article over the weekend which said the new fashion icons were fashion editors.  Once famous for making icons, fashion editors, most of who are in their 40s and 50s, are now gracing the pages of style blogs and editorials, and are becoming more popular than models or celebrities.

Leading the charge are Anna Dello Russo, the editor-at-large of Japanese Vogue, Emmanuelle Alt, the editor of Vogue Paris, Giovanna Battaglia from Vogue Italy and former editor-in-chief of French Vogue, Carine Roitfield. Where once Anna Wintour, editor of American Vogue, was the only editor who had a personality large enough to garner interest, now she almost risks fading into the background with her fashion choices.

Favouring Prada kitten heels and large shades, Wintour is quite conservative when it comes to fashion choices. Dello Russo on the otherhand, hasn't found a colour or a print she didn't like.

Toning her physique with 3 hours of yoga and swimming every morning, Dello Russo has a body to rival most models on the catwalk today. She owns an amazing 4,000 pairs of shoes and has a separate apartment for her clothes alone. Launching her perfume, Beyond, in November 2010, Dello Russo's cult status continues to grow and she is unlikely to be slowing down anytime soon. 

Once described as the sexist editor in fashion, former editor of French Vogue, Carine Roitfield has been a favourite of fashion followers for years. With a penchant for black rock 'n' roll style outfits and kohl rimmed eyes, Roitfield has become a fashion icon.  Now working for major retailer Barneys overseeing their autumn collection, Roitfield continues to inspire fashion followers around the world.

Christine Centenera

Carine Roitfield

Other than Stevie Dance, editor of Russh, and Christine Centenera, Fashion Editor of Harper's Bazaar Australia, Australian's fashion editors are rarely photographed at global fashion events. Australia is small player in the global fashion market, however, with the global success of Australian brands such as Camilla and Marc, Sass and Bide, Josh Goot and Willow, to name a few, the Australian fashion industry should be doing more to promote Australia as a fashion forward country. The recent show Park Street, following the fashion editors of ACP's main women's magazines, did not do so well with the ratings, but at least editors are getting out there and trying to create a name and personality for themselves. Rarely are famous bloggers seen at Australian fashion week, which means there is limited global coverage of the shows.

Australian editors should take advantage of the fact that editors are now the focus in the fashion world. By getting themselves seen and followed, they will be in a much better place to promote Australian fashion.