VERY 15 Editor's Letter

Welcome to VERY 15!

When I saw this image ‘El Chalten’ which Tomek Sierek took on his long trek across South America earlier this year, it just had to become the introduction picture. I could fill a whole magazine with notions of ‘the iceberg’ - and distant peaks, for that matter...

Intense times, exciting: we are launching this issue with an exhibition of Samantha McEwen’s paintings at The Brompton Garage, and are very grateful to Jane Withers, the Brompton Design District and South Kensington Estates for their support.

I am particularly happy to present the personal accounts and iconic images presented by the great personalities Bobby Hillson and Sheilagh Brown, so much part of British fashion.

After all, without Bobby’s key role starting the MA at St Martins, we may have missed out on some of Britain’s most prominent designers, from John Galliano to the late Alexander McQueen.

The fashion story was shot by Tomek in Fortaleza after he and Sarah Shatz visited Dragão Fashion Brasil for us, upon the invitation of ABIT, thanks Mauro!

The images of the dresses of Conexão Solidária are especially dear to us, which you will understand when you read on, see Sarah’s images and the reports of the artisans and seamstresses having made the clothes.

Last but not least, this issue is a ‘first’ for us – as it is the first featuring a gentleman on our cover. And I am so happy it is John Alfredo Harris giving us the honour, thanks John, great to see you here!