As the one almost sour note of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the appearance of iconic British models wearing iconic British designers, was a surprise. I was quite looking forward to it. Not as much as I was to seeing the Spice Girls, but excited for a fashion twist. But it fell a bit flat in my view. Although let's not pretend that David Gandy in Paul Smith wasn't a treat for the eyes!
I guess people couldn't really understand how models like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell — with all the controversy surrounding their lifestyles — could really match up to the incredible dedication of an Olympic ideal. And of course this is quite right.

But I do think that British fashion design is a world leader. And it needed its moment in the spotlight, like all other British achievements. The work of designers like Smith, Dame Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Burberry and Stephen Jones is absolutely worthy of being showcased. And although Victoria Beckham and Erdem were also featured, maybe it wasn't quite their time. Or maybe it didn't matter. British fashion design was the winner here.

And so maybe it was really the question of should these specific models have been chosen? Stella Tennant is a must-have. As is young Jourdan Dunn. And David Gandy. Georgia May Jagger is a perfect blend of rock and pop. Lily Cole is a great beauty with brains. And yes, Kate Moss, epitomises British style.
I think this was the right way to show off British fashion and, while I understand the concerns, this was a celebration not the moral high ground. Just as some athletes have made mistakes and come back to be the greatest Olympians ever (ahem, Michael Phelps), so too can we live with a bit of raucous behaviour from the Brit model pack. Just so long as they continue to represent fashion in a way that surprises and delights us over and over again. Just my point of view.