UNITED KINGDOM: Quentin Tarantino, Thandie Newton and Prince joined the fashion industry on the pink carpet for a glamorous fundraiser

At 10,000 British pounds (20,000 U.S.dollars) per table, the Victoria and Albert's "Age of Couture" gala on Tuesday (September 18) was not for the faint of heart or weak of wallet. Models, designers, singers and Hollywood celebrities helped the museum celebrate the opening of the exhibition in style. The face of Calvin Klein's current campaign, Natalia Vodianova, from Russia, said the rapidity and demand for fashion today is vastly different to that of the golden era of couture, between 1947-1957. "It used to be that women used to be more into details and fashion was more about really creating a one of a kind piece. It's definitely changed. It's become more industrial, it's faster," she said. British model Twiggy - whose waif-like look was often criticised for inciting anorexia amongst girls in the sixties said the fashion industry should conduct more research into eating disorders among models, sparked by the recent Size Zero debate. "My argument was yes it is a very serious illness which having still a daughter who is now 28 and she's slender and I'm naturally slender and it's an issue we have to look at," said the model and judge on "America's Next Top Model". Actress Emma Thompson admitted that while she discovered fashion in her later years, she was disappointed with the dour look on the faces of models at London Fashion Week: "If you're going to put on a posh frock, you should go 'ah ha, ah ha'. I'm a little more Mae West about it," she said. Dior, Prada and Dolce and Gabbana seemed to be the favourite designers amongst the guests arriving on the pink carpet. But ever the rebel, director Quentin Tarantino chose a slightly more relaxed look - tracksuit pants, sneakers and leather jacket. When asked why he came to the glamourous event dressed as he did, he said the organisers of the gala allowed him to enter dressed that way. He admitted he went to the soiree straight from working. Kate Moss arrived with uber fashion photographer Mario Testino, who took pictures of the supermodel as photographers were taking pictures of her. Veteran supermodels Claudia Schiffer, Eva Herzigova and Eric O'Connor were joined by new talents Lily Cole, for and Agyness Deyn. Elizabeth Hurley arrived with husband Arun Nayar and Thandie Newton with designer Matthew Williamson, who has returned to London to unveil his latest collection for spring/summer 2008 on Wednesday (September 19). Elton John's husband David Furnished arrived with Camilla al-Fayed, a major haute couture buyer and daughter of Mohammad al-Fayed, the owner of department store Harrods. A regular at London Fashion Week this season, editor of U.S. Vogue Anna Wintour arrived in a flower-print dress. The press booed a late-running Prince as he stopped only briefly to have his picture taken with his two female companions before rushing inside. The money raised at the gala will help the museum further develop its fashion department.

ITN Source | September 20, 2007

Tags:. .victoria. .thompson. .sixties. .exhibition. .industrial