I nearly passed out when I saw Tilda Swinton on the cover of W Magazine’s August issue.

The queen of androgyny sent shivers down my spine with her captivating editorial which was shot on a futuristic Icelandic landscape by photographer Tim Walker.

She graces the cover wearing a Salvatore Ferragamo Fall 2011 silk velvet tuxedo and silk blouse designed by Creative Director Massimiliano Giornetti.

He captures Tilda wearing many looks including Blumarine, Céline, Chloé, Zero + Maria Cornejo and Comme des Garçons.

Tilda portrays an albino alien who fell to earth, reflecting W’s current fascination with androgyny and men’s uniforms.

In the issue Tilda talks about what it was like playing the mother of an evil child, androgyny and she shares what she really thinks about Hollywood.

Extracts are below, but you can read more at wmagazine.com.

On her own style icons: “David Bowie—whom I’ve been orbiting ever since I saw The Man Who Fell to Earth in 1976—and my father, Maj. Gen. Sir John Swinton. They are individuals with whom I share the same planetary DNA.”

On gender role play: “People talk about androgyny in all sorts of dull ways. Cahun looked at the limitlessness of an androgynous gesture, which I’ve always been interested in.”

On her father’s military officer uniforms: “From childhood, I remember more about his black patent, gold livery, scarlet-striped legs, and medal ribbons than I do of my mother’s evening dresses. I would rather be handsome, as he is, for an hour than pretty for a week.”

Blumarine’s wool coat and dress; Stella McCartney’s fleece wool and cashmere turtleneck; Tommy Hilfiger’s silk pants; J.W. Anderson’s cashmere skirt. Patricia Underwood for Chris Benz hat, Comme des Garçons belt, Maison Martin Margiela gloves, Rick Owens boots.

Céline’s cotton turtleneck

Acne’s wool jacket; Akris’s wool dress; Tommy Hilfiger’s silk pants. LaCrasia glove

Chloé’s leather jacket; Maison Martin Margiela’s polyurethane and polyester dress; Jil Sander’s cashmere and silk hooded turtleneck. Maison Martin Margiela gloves, Rick Owens boots

Zero + Maria Cornejo’s llama hair coat; Hugo Boss’s cotton turtleneck; John Rocha’s silk pants; Gucci’s silk chiffon dress. Eres cap, Rick Owens boots

Comme des Garçons’s wool jacket; Hugo Boss’s cotton and polyester shirt; Acne’s polyester skirt. Sermoneta gloves, Agent Provocateur hosiery, Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci shoes

Giorgio Armani’s wool and silk jacket. Sermoneta gloves

VPL’s latex coat and dress; National Theatre Costume Hire Store’s bodysuit. Maison Martin Margiela boots

Chanel’s stretch cotton denim jumpsuit; Hussein Chalayan’s wool tunic. Rick Owens boots

Hermès’s felted wool flannel dress. Stephen Jones swim cap, Hermès gloves, Rick Owens boots

Yves Saint Laurent’s wool sweater and silk crepe de chine blouse. Sermoneta gloves

Haider Ackermann’s wool caftan with silk lapels and wool pants; Ralph Lauren Black Label’s cashmere sweater. Haider Ackermann belt, Burberry shoes

Stella McCartney’s wool, polyamide, and elastane jacket; twill and rayon blouse; and rayon pants; National Theatre Costume Hire Store’s bodysuit. Sermoneta gloves

Credit: Tim Walker for W Magazine

MORE FROM RED CARPET FASHION AWARDS:

Ad Between Posts

Posted by Catherine Kallon on July 11th, 2011 In: Magazines, Tilda Swinton, W Magazine

Emma Watson In Balmain – The “Late Show With David Letterman”

Emma Watson In Balmain – The “Late Show With David Letterman”

Emma Watson In Prada – The Today Show

Emma Watson In Prada – The Today Show