Ella Alexander

As a blockbuster Tate Modern exhibition on her opens, we celebrate Yoko Ono and explore why she's never been given a fair trial

It’s not breaking news that Kentish seaside towns are back in fashion. There’s Whitstable with its candy coloured beach huts and genteel clientele; Broadstairs and its sweeping sandy beaches seemingly borrowed from across the channel; Margate, now an embarrassingly gentrified hipster parody; and Dungeness, its barren seascapes popular with artists and students back from university. Then you have Folkestone, the scrappy underdog with its growing art scene and seafront pubs where locals stare with…

For the past two decades, the luxury shopping industry was a kingdom dominated by huge multi-brand e-tailers. The ingenuity of Natalie Massenet’s Net-a-Porter in 2000 created an exciting new move towards the world of ‘internet shopping’. The royal family of luxury digital commerce comprised Net-a-Porter, MatchesFashion and Farfetch, with MyTheresa and SSense in supporting roles. Although each with their own identities and point of view, all combined the speed and accessibility of a blossoming di…

The first time I realised that The Vampire’s Wife had changed the way women dressed was in 2018 at All Points East Festival. The brand’s founder, Susie Cave, was there supporting her husband, Nick Cave, who was headlining the Victoria Park event. The VIP area was filled with women wearing a very different festival uniform to the denim cut-offs and band T-shirts that had previously dominated. Instead, Kate Moss, Florence Welch and Kylie Minogue wore high-necked, jewel-coloured, body-skimming dres…

From the Bloomsbury Group's bohemian retreat to Derek Jarman's seaside cottage, our guide to the most inspiring artist homes to visit

The Princess of Wales wore Jenny Packham for her first public appearance of the year. She and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, attended the Trooping of the Colour procession, used to mark the King’s birthday parade. Catherine chose a white, fitted dress with a statement monochrome bow tied at the collar and a matching waistband - a custom design made especially for her. The British brand is a favourite of the princess, having worn a number of its romantic,…

The official revival of the wedge sandal can be traced to one single picture. At Chemena Kamali’s Chloé debut in March this year, the celebrity front row – which starred Sienna Miller, Liya Kebede, Pat Cleveland and Georgia May Jagger – sat wearing identical open-toe wedges. A powerful piece of product placement, it made a great photo as you can see above – a group of intergenerational women all working the same shoe in very different ways. Chunky with a relaxed Seventies edge, it offered a desi…

Ella Alexander shares what she's learnt from her surprise friendship with Dame Zandra Rhodes

Look for a gown that makes you want to dance

With clothing sales rising, the trusted British brand is back in the wardrobes of the style set