If there is a polar opposite to the Gen Z phenomenon of creating a bizarre pair of trainers with the purpose of blowing up Instagram, or a red carpet gown so tight its wearer needs an army of minders just to be able to get out of her car, it is Margaret Howell.
The 77-year-old designer would never dream of something so preposterous. With her no-nonsense approach and the ability to make even the most straight-faced fashion editor swoon, she is known for beautifully made, unfussy pieces created with the intention of not standing out from the crowd.
“For me, clothes have to perform a function. You choose the right fabric for the right thing,” says Howell, who rarely gives interviews, of her purposeful approach