Fashion GateKeepers
Cedric Charbit
Cédric Charbit began his career at Printemps department stores in 2001. He worked for Purchasing in the Luxury Goods department. He then became General Merchandise Manager until his appointment as Deputy Director of Purchasing. In 2009, he was appointed Deputy Chief Executive of Pucci, in Italy, before joining Saint Laurent in 2012 as Product Strategy Director. He subsequently became Merchandising Director and finally Executive Vice President of Products and Communications.
In November 2016, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Balenciaga. Under Cédric’s leadership, the House has seen strong acceleration in growth, largely due to an expanded international boutique network and a robust increase in e-commerce sales. The House is also recognized as a leading player in the fashion industry for its approach to innovation and ethical values.
Noami Campbell
She became a cult figure of the 1990s with her feline gaze, dynamic personality and biting comebacks as has dominated the fashion scene ever since. At the Fashion Awards 2019, Naomi Campbell took home the Fashion Icon award, as the industry cemented her standing as one of its leading figures.
And it's not difficult to see why. She needs little introduction (she's on first name terms with the world, after all) and with a career spanning over three decades, Streatham-born Campbell has been a mainstay in the industry, which more often than not sees models come and go like looks on a runway.
Known as much for changing the face of fashion (she was the first black model to grace a British Vogue cover in 1988, as well as Vogue Paris and Time) as she is for her philanthropic work with Nelson Mandela and her charitable efforts through Fashion For Relief, she's one of the industry's hardest working figures.
With six British GQ covers under her belt, campaign after campaign and countless catwalk appearances, Campbell is to fashion what David Beckham is to football. On and off the red carpet she has proven that she knows how to style herself, whether rocking a Kim Jones-designed menswear look for Dior or Azzedine Alaïa.
Rihanna
Rihanna holds back for no one. Able to make the boldest looks work, Rih Rih’s is always about stepping out of the box when it comes to style. Rihanna starts trends. Whether it’s her hair, makeup, or even the brands she chooses to endorse, Rih Rih is a major influence on what’s considered hot. Rihanna allows her Caribbean roots to shine through her style and music, ultimately exposing countless people to style and culture that they may have never witnessed. Rihanna makes pretty much anything work. Whether it’s an edgy badass look or old Hollywood glam, she never fails to deliver. Rihanna broke barriers in 2015 when she became the first-ever Black woman spokesperson for Dior. However, she wasn’t known to being the face of a major fashion brand. Just one year before she inspired Olivier Rousteing of Balmain’s Spring/Summer collection. When the Council of Fashion Designers of America dubs you a fashion icon, that’s what you are. Rihanna received the honor in 2014 and arrived in this stunner, proving that the CFDA knew exactly what they were talking about. She now has her Fenty makeup and a skincare line and one of the biggest lingerie lines in the world, Savage X Fenty.
Anna wintour
In 1988 Wintour replaced Grace Mirabella as editor in chief at American Vogue. The move came three years after the American launch of the French magazine Elle, which consistently threatened to reduce Vogue’s circulation and advertising revenue. In explaining her publishing philosophy of democratic fashion fantasy, Wintour remarked, “Mass with class—that’s my mantra.” Her Vogue covers began featuring prominent women (including actresses Nicole Kidman and Angelina Jolie and politician Hillary Clinton) rather than exclusively using models.
In 1988 Wintour replaced Grace Mirabella as editor in chief at American Vogue. The move came three years after the American launch of the French magazine Elle, which consistently threatened to reduce Vogue’s circulation and advertising revenue. In explaining her publishing philosophy of democratic fashion fantasy, Wintour remarked, “Mass with class—that’s my mantra.” Her Vogue covers began featuring prominent women (including actresses Nicole Kidman and Angelina Jolie and politician Hillary Clinton) rather than exclusively using models.
Celine Dion
Canadian megastar Celine Dion has been in the spotlight since she was a child singing in her family's piano bar. A career spanning four decades lends itself to 1) a biopic, and 2) a sprawling wardrobe. Since her first performances, she's learned a few things about fashion and has never been afraid to push sartorial boundaries. From leather catsuits to trompe l'oeil dresses, Dion has proved herself to be one of the greatest, boldest avant-garde style icons of our time.