"There’s a certain magic in seeing couture on a woman who has that joy for the pieces": Letter from the editor

It’s hard to miss Leonie Hanne during fashion week. Not just because of her beauty or her extravagant outfits (though she does always look impeccable) but her energy and the way in which she carries herself. This is especially true at Paris Couture, where, in that bold, amidst all the artistry and decadence, the mood can get a bit serious. From the moment I met Leonie at Couture shows, I was clear that this is a woman who finds joy in fashion. That isn’t to say she doesn’t take fashion seriously. Quite the opposite; Leonie and I share an enormous interest in craftsmanship and tailoring, not to mention the storied history of these remarkable couture houses. But, like me, she derives energy and excitement from this passion, always arriving at shows with a big smile on her face and that palpable joy. She greets me with genuine excitement and a big hug – a breath of fresh air in a sometimes stuffy landscape.

Not only does Leonie love couture, she wears it well. This is no easy feat; these looks – these sartorial artistic explosions – are elaborate and over-the-top. Simply put, when it comes to couture, it’s easy for the clothes to wear you. But Leonie, with her poise and grace (not to mention her charm and humour) brings these extraordinary garments to life. I can understand why all of the Maisons love her so much. And the fact that she has hails from a small suburb of Hamburg and has diligently built herself up to being one of the biggest influencers in the industry only makes her more remarkable.

For this reason, when we were imagining a couture digital cover, rather than cast a model, I immediately thought of Leonie. There’s a certain magic in seeing the clothes on a woman who has that joy for the pieces. When she slips into a look by Schiaparelli, Julie de Libran or Rahul Mishra, you see the light come from within. We shot the story at the stunning Hôtel Plaza Athénée (a setting that can really handle these remarkable looks), where Leonie often stays during Couture week.

To make things more magical, Leonie and fiancé Alexander Galievsky also celebrated their engagement at the hotel’s sister property, Le Meurice, the day after our shoot. They have such a charming dynamic, with Alexander working full-time with Leonie. Whenever I run into her, Alexander is by her side, taking her photos, helping with the trains of her red carpet gowns. They’re such a lovely couple.

Because Leonie is not Scandinavian (though she often speaks of how much she loves the Scandinavian style), we knew we wanted to dress her in a look by ArdAzAei, the only fashion house on the couture schedule with a Scandinavian designer at its helm. I remember the first time Bahareh Ardakani, the house’s Swedish-Iranian artistic director, came by the Vogue Scandinavia office. I couldn’t believe there was a couture house founded in Stockholm. It’s so inspiring to see emerging designers so committed to carrying on the tradition of this incredible craft. Watching Bahareh grow her brand (and even having the opportunity to wear her creations myself on a couple of special occasions) has been so inspiring. I’m very proud that this brand comes from Stockholm. And the dress on the cover — that’s what fashion joy is made of.

I hope that this story brings you joy as well, in the way only the magic of couture can.