We collaborated with Vogue during COVID-19 to restore sentimental pieces from the wardrobes of 23 supermodels - including Bella & Gigi Hadid, Kate Moss & Joan Smalls - for a charity auction in which one hundred percent of the proceeds went to the NHS and The NAACP.
Each model took a selfie at home with their chosen item - art directed remotely by the Vogue team. Pieces were then shipped to Hewi HQ, where they were restored to ‘hardly worn’ condition with help from The Restory before being photographed in-house ready for auction.
The Way We Wore auction featured a variety of personal pieces from the models own wardrobes, each with an equally interesting backstory. Kate Moss donated an Alexander McQueen Jacket given to her by Sarah Burton, Bella Hadid a treasured pair of paint splattered Miu Miu Boots and Shalom Harlow went super sentimental with a personalised robe, made by Donatella Versace, for models to wear backstage that walked in the AW19 show - and that’s only 3/23.
To ensure that everyone got the chance to participate, as well as being able to bid on the donated items, Vogue released limited edition prints of the Model’s Selfies that could be bought for £50. Of the overall proceeds, 50% were donated to the NHS in support of their ongoing work enduring COVID-19 and The NAACP in respect of the wave of brutality faced by Black Americans in the year 2019 and to further efforts to oust systematic racism in the UK and across the world.
“When we filmed the first episode of Project Runway, back in August, I wore this Christian Siriano dress. It’s custom-made, right down to the colour, super-structured and it made me feel powerful and sexy.”
“When I sat front row at the Versace show in Milan a few seasons ago, I wore this Versace cocktail dress and these shoes. I love it because it’s classically chic, but also so sexy – perfect for a night out. Plus, the Versace family has always been so philanthropic and giving to the world, it makes sense to highlight this stunning look for a great cause.”
“A leather jacket is an essential in my wardrobe, and Alexander McQueen does the best. Sarah Burton gave me this one from the spring/summer 2012 collection and I’ve cherished it for years. I hope it brings as much joy to someone else.”
“I felt like a surrealist sergeant when I wore this JW Anderson dress to a party during fashion week a few years ago. Fashion is meant to be playful and exciting, and I hope this dress brings someone else as much joy and excitement as it brought me.”
“I purchased this Chanel blazer a few years ago from a vintage shop, and it has been one of my most versatile pieces. I’ve worn it everywhere, from lunches to on vacation over bathing suits. I’m so happy someone else can enjoy it as much as I have – and all for a great cause.”
“These Miu Miu boots mean so much to me. I wore them for the brand’s spring/summer 2020 campaign. To begin with they were plain beige, but as I got messy with paints, I realised the boots were becoming an art piece in themselves. I asked if I could keep them to eventually auction for a cause that I felt passionately about, and this is the perfect opportunity.”
“The perfect LBD for all occasions, I love this Prada dress. It has travelled the world with me – for work and for holidays.”
“No one does high glam like Christian Siriano. The night I wore this to the CFDA Awards I felt like I could be in an Old Hollywood film. We danced the night away. I will never forget that night or this dress – also because I wore it when I was still hiding my pregnancy.”
“I was squeamish about snakes till I learnt they’re a symbol of feminine and spiritual energy, now I feel protected when I wear these earrings (which have a matching necklace). I wore this dress for the 2018 H&M Conscious Exclusive campaign. I love that it’s made from repurposed materials, and because Earth Day was approaching when I took this selfie, it seemed like the perfect piece to pass along.”
“First, I’d like to thank all the health workers, truck drivers, grocery store clerks and anyone else with the courage and compassion to put others ahead of themselves. New York has been my part-time residence for many years now and I have a great love for the city. Wearing this Gucci NY top and trousers was a way of standing in solidarity with all New Yorkers as we go through one of the most trying times in the city’s history. Sending love to everyone around the world. We are all in this together.”
“I appreciate the opportunity to give back in this way, and hope that whoever ends up with these pieces – the Fenty top and skirt, and Dior Saddle bag – really enjoys them, knowing that their contribution will help those struggling due to Covid-19. Zayn and I send our love and best wishes to everyone.”
“These Phoebe Philo Céline earrings have always made me feel so sophisticated, confident and special, no matter the circumstances. I would love to share that feeling with someone else, particularly in these difficult times.”
“In fashion, we often speak of our love through clothes, and the pieces I’m donating (some of which you can’t see in my selfie) really come from the heart. Designed by my great friend Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy, I wore this dress to the legendary party Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott gave at their home in Ibiza. I’m sending everyone my love in this time where we try to rebuild the future in the most compassionate way possible.”
“This skirt is like my leopard baby! Leopard print is my favourite, and when Burberry does it, I love it even more. Riccardo Tisci knows how to create a perfect bag, too, and this Burberry one has been a favourite of mine. I’ve always thought it brought me luck, so I hope it will bring luck to its new owner, too.”
“This Gucci bag was the first thing I thought of when I was asked to take part in this project. As soon as I saw it in the store I was like, ‘Whoa!’ I had to have it. We have done plenty of travels together, so it has a lot of sentimental value. It is one of my favourite pieces, and it goes with everything.”
“This Givenchy bag has travelled everywhere with me – its size is deceptive, so much fits in it. It became such a staple of my wardrobe that at one point I was like, ‘I need to give her a break,’ and I took really good care of her because of that.”
“As a big McQueen fan, I’ve found being part of Sarah Burton’s vision in shows and campaigns especially inspiring. This Alexander McQueen denim jacket was one of the first expensive items of clothing I bought with money I earned from modelling. I’ve worn it to work, dinners and parties, and it has always made me feel extremely powerful.”
“This magical Valentino dress was a birthday buy a few years ago – I wanted something dramatic to wear for my party, and it was such a beautiful colour. I’ve worn it for many special events since. Shooting this picture helped me create a little playful fantasy during these weird times, and it sums up what I love about fashion, which is all about the dream.”
“Just me and my Chanel bag – because what more does a girl need? The house has given me some of my best show memories, and they gave me this handbag just before I last walked the runway for them. These bags are true treasures.”
“I wore this vintage Christian Dior dress to an Oscars-week party. History is in every thread, and it oozes an elegance and glamour that hardly exists anymore. I felt as if I were playing the part of a very cool, chic character wearing it.”
“Donatella Versace made these robes for the models to wear backstage at her autumn/winter 2019 collection. She had our names embroidered on the back, like heavyweight champions. I love the plush luxury mixed with the irreverent Day-Glo colours. Although my garden shower is a far cry from the glamour and clamour of backstage Versace, I’ve loved wearing it in so many places. And, yes, this robe has had the exclusive honour of being wrapped around my very naked body.”
“My jacket is Nike ACG men’s. It’s seven layers already, so I don’t think it needs a lot of styling – you could go straight into a hip-hop party wearing it. I’m also auctioning the Fendi sunglasses and the short Babyghost skirt I have on out of shot. I’ve worn the skirt a lot and in myriad ways – sometimes I felt like the girl from Kill Bill, training with her master, other times I wore pants under it like a powerful boss. I hope someone will discover a new style and have fun with it.”
“My sweet little Chanel bag has been on every single trip I’ve done for the past 10 years. It was my first ever purchase at a Chanel store in New York, and a gift to myself for working hard. I love the thought of it having adventures with its new owner.”
