In the middle of London fashion week, the name of a young designer then aged 28 is on everyone's lips.
This is Richard Quinn, portrayed as the new master of extravagant British fashion.
The English designer is set to present his second show since stepping out of Central Saint Martins, but that's not what's creating the fuss.
As his show approaches, a rumor swells.
Something "enormous" must happen, without anyone really knowing what.
Not even the interested party who will be notified at the last moment.
Elizabeth II, surprise guest at London Fashion Week
In images, in pictures
See the slideshow10 photos
See the slideshow10 photos
A small blue cushion
The event is none other than the arrival of the Queen of England.
A first in sixty-five years of reign.
Elizabeth II, 91, has never attended a fashion show despite the meticulous care she has always given to her outfits.
On February 20, 2018, she showed up at Richard Quinn's, with her trusty handbag signed by the London leather goods maker Launer, as one distinguished guest among others.
Or almost.
Two details set it apart.
Starting with the reaction of the public.
Surprised, he gets up to greet the sovereign, without forgetting to brandish the phones to immortalize the moment and share it on social networks.
Reputed to be unimpressive, the fashion sphere does not believe its eyes, nor the screen of its smartphone.
Finally, if Elizabeth II is sitting glued tight between Caroline Rush,
Vogue
, - who has kept his dark glasses - he needs a distinctive sign, something royal.
It will be a small royal blue cushion placed on his seat.
On this day, the queen wears a pale blue suit, black gloves and a pair of pumps.
She seems relaxed, exchanges a few words with her neighbors, and puts her handbag on the ground.
Accessory, let us remember, which is not one.
This one, well known for conveying messages, has been manufactured by the same leather goods manufacturer since 1968, according to immutable criteria.
Smaller than other designs, the queen's bags have no compartments or shoulder straps, and also feature a longer than average handle, so Elizabeth II can salute without getting her hand caught.
Knotted scarves
The collection parades, and with, a few nods to this royal presence, added at the last minute: silk scarves tied around the neck, or silhouettes, also in silk, in reference to the looks of the sovereign when she is resting at her castle in Balmoral, Scotland.
Other outfits less connoted "Buckingham" also appear under the queen's attentive and somewhat amused gaze, such as this leather jacket and its many zippers worn with a fluorescent yellow motorcycle helmet and PVC gloves rolled up to the elbows in which we would see a Lady Gaga, fan of the young designer.
Richard Quinn Ready-to-Wear Fall/Winter 2018-2019 show London
In images, in pictures
See the slideshow36 photos
See the slideshow36 photos
The parade ended, Richard Quinn is invited to receive from the hands of the queen the first “Elizabeth II prize for fashion”, a reward which will henceforth be awarded every year to a new talent in the sector.
"I definitely think she's a fashion icon," the stylist said.
And to add about his stylistic nods to the Queen: "It's a humorous version of Balmoral - my version, in fact".