ISSEY MIYAKE dress. Photographed by Whiston & Butler
Inspired by modernist principles, garments by Bottega Veneta, Issey Miyake, Hermès, and more unfold within the City of London.
In the financial district of London, where concrete, glass, and steel meet, fashion finds clarity in structure. The locations photographed here were selected for their resemblance to Le Corbusier’s Dom-ino system: an architectural framework conceived in 1914, of slabs, columns, and staircases stripped to their essence. “This modernist ethos led us to explore practical locations, allowing the model to exist within, and interact with, the framework of the space,” explain photographers Phoebe Whiston and Matthew Butler, known as Whiston & Butler, of their concept.
What emerged are images that situate the body within order, repetition, and light, where silhouette becomes the focal point. A sculptural dress from Issey Miyake folds and releases with precision, while Hermès’s quilted leather separates hold their form against the embrace of delicate foliage. From Bottega Veneta, softened tailoring and coated textures echo the interplay between control and ease, while pieces from Cawley Studio and Christopher Esber introduce a quieter sensuality through cut and surface.
The locations do not merely frame the garments, but also articulate them. Here, fashion exists not in contrast to its surroundings, but in dialogue with their structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Square Mile is the nickname for the City of London, the capital’s historic and financial center. Although it occupies just over one square mile, it is home to many of the world’s leading banks, insurance companies, and financial institutions.
125 London Wall, also known as Alban Gate, is a landmark postmodern office building completed in 1992. Designed by Sir Terry Farrell, it is known for its monumental gateway, layered terraces, and distinctive combination of stone and glass.
Whiston & Butler are the London and Bath-based photography duo of Phoebe Whiston and Matthew Butler.
The Dom-ino system was a structural concept developed by Le Corbusier in 1914–15. It proposed a simple framework of reinforced concrete floor slabs supported by slender columns, with staircases positioned independently and no load-bearing interior walls.
The City of London is home to 125 London Wall, Lloyd’s Building, 30 St Mary Axe (commonly known as The Gherkin), The Leadenhall Building (the Cheesegrater), and Barbican Centre.
