Victoria Starmer takes the catwalk

Victoria Starmer has modeled at a London fashion week show, one of her first public appearances since her husband Keir Starmer stepped down as prime minister.

Edeline Lee's unusual venue and show

Designer Edeline Lee held her spring/summer twenty twenty-seven show at Haverstock school in Chalk Farm, north London on Sunday, with models fitted in full view of the audience and dancers rehearsing beside the catwalk.

What Starmer wore to the show

Starmer wore a bright turquoise knitted midi dress with a high neckline, pleated detailing and short sculptural sleeves, paired with white block-heeled shoes and her hair worn in loose waves.

The Sisyphus inspiration

Lee's collection was based on the Greek myth of Sisyphus. Lee said there is a general feeling of relentlessness and a sisyphean cycle, and she wanted to acknowledge the rigour and hard work behind beautiful clothes.

“There's a general feeling right now of relentlessness, a sisyphean cycle.”

Starmer's history with Edeline Lee

Throughout Keir Starmer's time as prime minister, Victoria Starmer kept a low public profile but favoured contemporary British brands including Edeline Lee. She attended Lee's show at London fashion week in twenty twenty-four.

The gifts controversy

In twenty twenty-four, Keir Starmer faced investigation over failing to declare that his wife's designer clothes had been bought by his biggest personal donor, Lord Alli, who paid for a personal shopper, clothes and alterations.