In Conversation: Emilia Wickstead & Caroline Issa
Emilia Wickstead joined Caroline Issa for an intimate conversation at Selfridges' exclusive private members' club, 40 Duke Street. The evening offered guests an insight into Emilia's creative journey, exploring her vision as a designer, the inspirations behind her Spring Summer 2027 collection, and the creative vision behind the accompanying collection film.
Hosted in the Selfridges Private Members Club, the event brought together an intimate audience of their club members and Selfridges' private clients for an evening celebrating fashion, creativity and storytelling. It was a space where the boundaries between designer and audience dissolved—a rare opportunity to understand the philosophy and process behind the work.
In an evening that moved seamlessly between discussion and storytelling, Emilia spoke candidly about her design process—the tension between structure and spontaneity that defines her work, the role of precision tailoring alongside experimental textiles, and how a collection becomes not just clothes, but a philosophy. The conversation explored how fashion exists within the context of lived experience: where you go, who you are with, the moments you remember.
Caroline's thoughtful questioning drew out the nuances of Emilia's vision, creating a dialogue that felt less like an interview and more like two creative minds in genuine exchange. The evening was a masterclass in understanding that fashion is never about the garment alone—it is always about the woman who wears it, the occasions she celebrates in it, and the confidence it grants her.
A carefully curated exhibition of archival references, mood boards, and collection pieces created an immersive backdrop to the evening—a visual representation of the creative journey from inspiration to finished collection. Pieces from the Spring Summer 2027 collection were displayed alongside the references that informed them: vintage photographs, textile studies, colour palettes, and fabric swatches. It was a rare glimpse into the editor's room of Emilia's mind.
The evening was a testament to what happens when fashion is treated with the seriousness it deserves—as art, as craft, and as a reflection of how we choose to move through the world. It was intimate without being exclusive, accessible without being casual. In a time when design is often reduced to trend cycles and seasonal drops, an evening like this reminds us why we dress, and why the person creating those clothes matters.
