Dame Prue Leith Embraces the 'Ludicrous' on London Fashion Week Runway at 86
Dame Prue Leith has declared her recent appearance on the London Fashion Week runway at the age of 86 to be "ludicrous", yet she insists that is precisely why she finds it so enjoyable. The broadcaster and restaurateur returned to the catwalk for the design duo Vin + Omi, showcasing their latest eco-collection named JORD, just one day before her 86th birthday.
A Star-Studded Audience and Sustainable Fashion Focus
Celebrities including Alison Hammond, Matt Lucas, and Charlene White were among the spectators as Dame Prue took to the runway. She wore a striking pink ruffled shirt paired with an orange suit, complemented by a floral headpiece, all crafted from innovative sustainable materials.
The tailored suit was fabricated using waste holly clippings sourced from the King's Sandringham Estate, highlighting Vin + Omi's ongoing collaboration with the monarchy. Fellow guest model Dylan Jones, editor-in-chief of the Evening Standard, also donned a holly-based ensemble, reinforcing the collection's commitment to material innovation.
Charitable Partnership with British Heart Foundation
This year's show marked a significant new collaboration with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), inspired by designer Omi's personal experience after suffering two heart attacks and a diagnosis of heart disease. For the first time in Vin + Omi's 24-year history, select one-off catwalk pieces will be made available to the public.
These garments are upcycled from BHF shop stock and will be gifted back to the charity, with all proceeds dedicated to funding research and raising awareness about heart disease. The items are scheduled to go live on the charity's eBay store at 1pm on February 18.
Ethereal Atmosphere and Technicolour Designs
As the music commenced, the atmosphere in the venue transformed instantly. A dreamy soundtrack infused with subtle nature elements established an ethereal, almost otherworldly tone, perfectly aligning with the collection's environmental message.
Technicolour hues dominated the runway, with tones that clashed and softened in equal measure. Distressed textures and punctured fabric treatments introduced the punk undertones for which Vin + Omi are renowned, demonstrating that sustainability does not have to be muted or dull.
Additional reworked textiles featured nettle, butterbur, and wood clippings from Sandringham, alongside recycled metal textiles crafted from RAF waste cans, showcasing a diverse range of eco-friendly materials.
Dame Prue's Reflections on Runway Experiences
Ahead of the show, Dame Prue shared with the Press Association that her initial experience walking for the brand in 2024 was far from a traditional fashion show. She admitted, "I had the idea that it would be a conventional kind of catwalk show. You know, we walk 25 yards down a catwalk, turn around, walk back there. But they said, we don't have to do that."
Recalling that first walk, she noted, "I did find it quite difficult, because, those models [have] all got long, long legs, and they walk so fast. And I – an old lady – am puffing along in the background."
Before stepping onto the runway this season, she confessed she had no idea what she would be wearing, only knowing it would be made from holly. "I was surprised that you could turn willow bark into something like linen, and so I'm sure you could do the same with holly," she remarked.
Personal Style and Life Perspectives
On the night, her structured orange suit provided a sharp contrast to the pastel-heavy collection, with pink ruffles and a floral headpiece adding a theatrical flourish as she navigated the runway in trainers. While Dame Prue is open to wearing almost anything, she drew the line at a bikini, stating simply, "They know I like to look good, whatever it is, and I'm quite glamorous. I don't want to look ludicrous, although I think we come quite close."
Dame Prue, celebrated for her bold glasses and vibrant attire, attributes her style evolution to age and her second marriage. "Because my husband is a fashion designer, he's retired now but he spent all his life in women's fashion. He buys all my clothes, so between Vin and Omi and [my husband], I never have to go shopping – I absolutely loathe shopping – the only kind of shopping I like is food in a French market," she explained.
Embracing Age and Future Ambitions
Reflecting on turning 86, she expressed feeling "much more cavalier" about others' opinions compared to her younger years. Writing her forthcoming book, Being Old, has prompted her to contemplate how she has continued to "grow up" throughout her life. "You think you're grown up at 25, but you go on growing up," she observed. "If someone has a go at you on social media, it's distressing, but in the great scheme of things it's yesterday's newspaper."
This perspective influenced her decision to step away from The Great British Bake Off after nine years. "When you're 86, you don't have unlimited time left. I loved it, but I want to do other things," she added. Among her future ambitions is seeing one of her eight novels adapted for the screen, suggesting Phoebe Waller-Bridge as a potential actress to portray her in a biopic due to her "anarchic" quality.
Finale and Birthday Celebrations
As for footwear on the runway, Dame Prue has opted for trainers, having abandoned high heels approximately a decade ago. "I'm quite wobbly now, even in trainers," she admitted. "I can't walk in a straight line – I'd look like a drunken sailor."
Following the finale, she returned to the runway alongside the designers to enthusiastic applause. The show concluded with a surprise birthday celebration in her honour, with the audience singing Happy Birthday as she prepared to turn 86 on February 18.
"It's funny, an 86-year-old woman walking down the catwalk – of course it's funny," she laughed. "I just hope I look nice. I don't like to look a fright."
