London Archive
As one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, London is an epicentre of self-expression and culture with British fashion pioneers including Vivienne Westwood, Ozwald Boateng, Samuel Ross and Levent Tanju.
From punk and skate aesthetics to Afro-Caribbean textiles, London’s underground subcultural movements inspire British fashion trends.
The late Dame Vivienne Westwood designed political statement pieces that challenged mainstream values and celebrated rebellion. Her fearless and thought-provoking designs often used unconventional materials, such as leather and studs. Westwood’s impact on pop culture earned her immense respect, global recognition, and Damehood.
Dame Vivienne Westwood waving the flag of her Climate Revolution at the London 2012 Paralympic Games via youtube.com
The British-Ghanaian fashion designer Ozwald Boateng blazed a trail for black British designers. Self-taught, he became the first black tailor to open headquarters on Savile Row and the first tailor to showcase at Paris Fashion Week.
In 2002, to celebrate the opening of his first headquarters and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, Ozwald Boateng closes Savile Row to traffic to host the first-ever fashion show on the Row. The last time the famous road was closed to traffic prior to this event was by the Beatles in the 60s.
Ozwald Boateng O.B.E on Savile Row, 2002
In 2003, Boateng became the first black Creative Director of Menswear at Givenchy, and amongst numerous awards, he was awarded an OBE by the Queen for his services to the clothing industry in 2006.
Boateng’s use of vivid patterns and trademark suits, have won him clients such as Jamie Foxx and Will Smith. He has also designed clothes for the James Bond films, Marvel’s 2017 Black Panther and most recently, the 2023 British Airways uniform.
Ozwald Boateng has also designed for NBA players Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried and Emmanuel Mudiay.
Protégé of the late Virgil Abloh, Brixton-born designer Samuel Ross founded the contemporary label A-Cold-Wall* in 2015.
A master of technical tailoring, Samuel Ross has collaborated with Kanye, Nike and Off-White. A-Cold-Wall* revolutionised streetwear using the heavy influence of tactical and utility fashion. Ross designs utilitarian workwear, cross-body bags, performance sneakers, and high-tech accessories.
Samuel Ross (right) behind the scenes for A-COLD-WALL* FW18 collection
In 2020 Ross established the Black British Artist Grants program. Each year the scheme offers 10 bursaries to the selected applicants from across a range of art and design disciplines.
Ross has been awarded numerous awards including the 2019 Hublot Design Prize and the 2020 People of the Year British Fashion Award for his philanthropic endeavors.
Samuel Ross (left) and Virgil Abloh (right) for British GQ Magazine, 2019 photo by Vincent Flouret
Levent Tanju launched Palace Skateboards in the early 2000s. Tanju grew up in south London, he is the son of a Turkish former-pro footballer father and an English mother who owned Jack’s Place, a restaurant in Clapham.
By 2009, Tanju began designing skateboard graphics alongside skateboarders Lucien Clarke and Blondey McCoy that formed the Southbank London skate scene in the early 2000s.
Palace’s famous "Tri-Ferg Logo" is named after Marc by Marc Jacob's design director Fergus Purcell who collaborated with Tanju to create the triangular logo.
Levent Tanju, founder of Palace, at the London store. Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
Palace is a staple streetwear label devoted to British skateboarding identity that continues to collaborate with high-end brands. The Palace headquarters is based in Soho, London, and exclusive collection drops attract hundred-meter-long queues.
Palace has been worn by Rihanna, Jay Z, The Weeknd, and Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty wearing the Palace x Adidas Juventus shirt.
In 2022, Palace became the first British streetwear label to collaborate with Mercedes AMG for Nürburgring 24 Hours. The Palace AMG line focuses on the commonalities between skateboarding and motorsports: performance, speed, adrenaline, and style.
The London archive cover features 400m British Champion, Alex Haydock-Wilson, wearing shirt: Archives and sneakers: New Balance 550, paired with a gold Nefertiti necklace. Photos by: @julie.fust
Other athlete fits feature London Diamond League high jump champion JuVaughn Harrison wearing shirt: Palm Angels, pants: Guapi and sneakers: Puma paired with Chrome Hearts ring. Photos by: @zakskinner1
Imani Lansiquot wore a 90s-style denim dress with a diamond Olympic ring and gold star custom nails. Photos by: @julie.fust
London Diamond League 200m champion, Noah Lyles entered the stadium in an Adidas Y-3 outfit paired with Prada sunglasses.
Long jumper, Leticia Oro-Melo was spotted warming up at the stadium in the latest Puma x Dapper Dan tracksuit.
The coolest parents were also spotted arriving at the stadium, British track icons: Perri and Mike Edwards.
All athlete outfits are featured on @trackandfits.