The Beginnings of a Legend: Kate Moss’s Debut on British Vogue’s Cover at 19

Kate Moss holds the record for gracing more British Vogue covers than any other individual in history, a journey that began with her iconic shoot for the March 1993 issue. As she approaches her 50th birthday on January 16, let’s revisit the captivating story behind Kate’s inaugural Vogue cover shoot with Corinne Day.

In the vibrant history of London’s eclectic and bohemian girls, from Marianne Faithfull to Julie Christie and Jane Birkin, Kate Moss emerged as a unique and unpredictable force in the ’90s. At just 19, standing at 5ft 6 1⁄2in, the south London-born Moss embodied the new spirit of fashion. The essence of “Cool Britannia” found its personification in Moss, surpassing even the likes of Cecilia Chancellor and Bella Freud from haute bohemian west London.

Corinne Day, a model-turned-photographer, captured Kate’s essence in her first British Vogue cover, free from excessive text. Day, known for her stripped-back “anti-fashion” style, recognized Moss as a distinctive figure. “She was just this cocky kid from Croydon,” Day reminisced. “She wasn’t like a model… but I knew she was going to be famous.”

In Day’s unconventional approach, Vogue’s prestige held little sway, and she operated on her terms. This unconventional strategy allowed a hesitant teenager to grace her first cover wearing a pale pink and ice-blue tweed bustier by Chanel (£1,900 with a matching jacket), or later, an old eiderdown, looking like a burgeoning fashion icon.

Kate Moss’s influence has endured, and every London girl who followed has been compared to her, but none quite captures the unique allure she possesses. Over 30 years later, Moss remains one of the most iconic faces of our time, an enigmatic sphinx who, famously, has never complained or explained. If she holds a riddle, Moss has wisely kept it guarded, adding to the mystique that surrounds her.