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.” Read more…