Fashion takes centre stage at Olympics Closing Ceremony

Supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell lead fellow British models including Lily Cole, Karen Elson, and David Gandy into the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony last night as fashion took centre stage alongside the athletes and musicians.

The nine-strong line-up came into the stadium to the soundtrack of David Bowie  inside trucks branded with black and white billboards, which fell away to reveal the supermodels wearing custom gold outfits designed by British designers. Each model then did a synchronised catwalk up the spokes of the Union Flag, followed by a legion on foot soldiers wearing black, who fell into an Alexander McQueen skull shape formation as revealed by a helicopter over head.

Each of the models showcased a different designer, leading the way were Moss and Campbell wearing Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, followed by Lily Cole in Erdem, Karen Elson wearing Burberry, Lily Donaldson in Vivienne Westwood, Stella Tennant donned a gold, silver and bronze chain-mail two piece by Christopher Kane, Georgia May Jagger was in a chic Victoria Beckham gown, and Jordan Dunn in Jonathan Saunders and a feathered Stephen Jones headdress partnered the only male model David Gandy in his gold Paul Smith suit.

The moment styled by Vogue’s Lucinda Chambers did however receive a lot of criticism on social media sites for looking like a paid-piece of advertising due to the global audience that watch the Olympics. But organisers have stated that the segment fitted in perfectly alongside the ‘Best of British’ themed closing ceremony choreographed by Kim Gavin, which also featured the likes of the Spice Girls, Take That, One Direction, Russell Brand, and even the iconic London black cab.

Gavin said: “We aimed to present the world’s greatest after-show party. We wanted to host a celebration of all that’s good about London, British people, our music and culture.”

Just like with music, Britain is known worldwide for its fashion talent, so why shouldn’t fashion designers be recognised and promoted like the musical acts? We would love to hear your thoughts on whether fashion should have been included in last night’s closing ceremony - get in touch via Twitter @FashionUnitedUK.

Images: London 2012