Fashion Professor Louise Wilson, dies

Fashion professor Louise Wilson has died, aged 52. Wilson was a leading figure and influence for many of fashion's top designers, including John Galliano and Alexander McQueen.
Wilson was at the helm of Central Saint Martins since 1992,

where she was director of the much lauded MA fashion course. Just as CSM is not like other fashion institutions. Louise Wilson wasn't your average professor.

While industry figures were quick to call her a genius and legendary, it was her stalwart commitment to her students and pushing them to strive for creative excellence that made her so well respected. So much so that in 2008 she was awarded an OBE.

An extraordinary educator who pushed for opportunities

"Wilson's deep understanding of fashion and her drive for funding for bursaries, facilities and opportunities are part of what made her such an extraordinary educator," said Professor Jeremy Till, head of the college.

Fashion philanthropist Daphne Guinness stated: "If it was not for Louise Wilson, I would never have been able to show the Isabella Blow exhibition. She was a hero."

Alexandra Shulman, the UK editor of Vogue magazine, said Prof Wilson had "played a remarkable role in making the British fashion scene as successful and relevant as it is today".

Born in Cambridge, Wilson worked for various designers, including as creative director for New York Donna Karan, before taking up a post at the institution where she herself was educated.

Amongst her famous students are Alexander McQueen, Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane, Marios Schwab, Peter Jensen, Richard Nicoll, Christopher Shannon and Sophia Kokosalaki.

Image: Louise Wilson