Meredith Etherington-Smith, a renowned British fashion and art journalist, biographer, and editor, was born in Wales in 1946 and grew up in Kent. She attended the prestigious Royal College of Art, laying the foundation for her illustrious career.
In the 1960s, Etherington-Smith began her journey as a journalist, and by the 1970s, she had risen to become the London editor for Vogue Paris and the first and only female editor of the American men's magazine GQ. Her remarkable achievements did not go unnoticed, and she soon became a respected figure in the fashion world.
After relocating back to London in the early 1980s, Etherington-Smith wrote for a wide range of prominent publications, including The Times, The Daily Telegraph, and The New York Times. Her impressive portfolio further solidified her reputation as a leading fashion journalist.
In 1983, Etherington-Smith took on the role of Deputy and Features editor at Harpers & Queen, where she was tasked with selecting the Dress of the Year for 1994. She chose a stunning black bias-cut strapless dress designed by the acclaimed John Galliano.
As her career continued to flourish, Etherington-Smith transitioned into the world of art journalism. She co-founded Art Fortnight and served as an editor for ArtReview. In 2006, she became the editor-in-chief of Christie's Magazine and the London editor of Artinfo.com.
During her tenure at Christie's, Etherington-Smith worked closely with Diana, Princess of Wales, to curate the charity auction of her clothes in 1997. She also oversaw the 1999 sale of Marilyn Monroe's clothing and personal effects and the 2011 auction of Elizabeth Taylor's wardrobe and jewels.
As a biographer, Etherington-Smith wrote extensively about notable figures in the fashion and art world. Her notable works include "The 'It' Girls," which chronicled the lives of Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon and her sister, novelist Elinor Glyn, and "The Persistence of Memory," a biography of the renowned artist Salvador Dalí, which was translated into twelve languages.
Tragically, Meredith Etherington-Smith passed away on January 25, 2020, at the age of 73, due to a heart attack. Her remarkable contributions to the worlds of fashion and art will be remembered and cherished for generations to come.
