Lily Donaldson wears
Vivienne Westwood
When it comes to designing an Olympic look,
where better to begin than with a dress you already know and love? “I wore a
black lace version of this gown for my recent portrait in Vogue,” says Vivienne
Westwood, who took that dress – her favorite from her Gold Label a/w ’12
couture collection, which she based on a seventeenth-century corset – and
remade it for wasp-waisted Lily Donaldson in gold silk decorated with a pattern
of thousands of sequins. Leather shoes, Sergio Rossi
Jourdan Dunn wears
Jonathan Saunders and Stephen Jones
“I loved the contrast between the gold and
white coupled with this refined column silhouette, which I revisit a lot,”
explains Jonathan Saunders of his second-skin jersey tube dress graphically
printed in gold paint, worn by Jourdan Dunn with a majestic feathered headdress
specially made by milliner Stephen Jones. As for Saunders’s sporting ambitions:
“I was good at discus – I played for my school, which not a lot of people know.
And I did hurdles, too, for a white, until I fell and dislocated my kneecap..”
These days, the designer prefers rock climbing. “I know – bizarre. But it’s one
of the only times when I don’t think about work.” Leather shoes, Christian
Louboutin
David Gandy wears
Paul Smith
It isn’t surprising to discover that David
Gandy has been sporty since a young age. The 32-year-old Essex-born model says
he skis every year and used to be a fast 100-metre sprinter, but cars have also
long been a passion of his, and since he recently received his National Racing
Licence for motor sports, he’s barely out of the driving seat. “To have a suit
tailor-made by Paul Smith is very special,” says the model of the designer’s
lamé single-button two-piece with crisp white shirt. “The interesting thing
about David is that I am exactly the same size as him,” says Smith. “A part
from the fact he’s got a slightly bigger chest – and definitely bigger arms.”
Georgia May Jagger wears
Victoria Beckham
“I was thinking about the idea of high
performance – in terms of quality, fit, fabric and stitching, and so I
revisited one of my signature designs,” reveals Victoria Beckham, who teamed up
with Georgia May Jagger for Vogue. Beckham’s fit-and-flare dress in high-shine
gold gazar is podium-worthy. “Generally I’m not very sporty,” says Jagger. “I used
to horse-ride, and I swim…” But if she could compete in the Games, what event
would she choose? “Gymnastics, definitely. I would just love to be that
flexible.” Earrings, Ca & Lou. Belt, Stella McCartney. Leather shoes,
Giuseppe Zanotti Design
Naomi Campbell wears
Alexander McQueen
“This shoot has been a real homecoming,”
trills Naomi Campbell. “There’s nothing quite like being in London and working
again with Nick Knight, Lucinda Chambers and Sam McKnight, all of whom I’ve
known since I was 16 years old.” Her dazzling gown, created by Sarah Burton at
Alexander McQueen, is bedecked in golden metalwork and comes complete with
Indian jewellery and gold-dusted tulle cape and train. “If I were an athlete, I
would be a sprinter,” Naomi says. “It looks so elegant – and I can definitely
hold my own.” Sequined wedges, Alexander McQueen. Text: Sarah Harris
