16 Facts About Madge Garland

Madge Garland was an influential figure in the British fashion scene, who made her name as a fashion journalist and editor working for, among others, Vogue and Women's Wear Daily.

Madge Garland McHarg was born in Melbourne, Australia and was the third child of Andrew McHarg and Henrietta Maria Aitkin.

Madge Garland's father was an international shipper who exported to Australia and she had a peripatetic childhood, growing up in St John's Wood, London and attending the International School in Paris from 1912.

Madge Garland was married briefly during this period to Captain Ewart Garland but retained the name McHarg until Gertrude Jekyll told her it was dreadful and asked if she had another.

Many years later, the author Nesta Macdonald reported on another party co-hosted by Madge Garland and held at her flat in Royal Hospital Road in 1927.

Madge Garland contributed to the influential US fashion trade title Womenswear Daily, as well as writing the women's section of Illustrated London News between 1928 and 1932 and contributing to Eve and Britannia magazines.

Madge Garland returned to Vogue in 1932 as fashion editor, and remained involved with the magazine for the next nine years.

Madge Garland took charge of merchandising and did some designing herself.

Madge Garland commissioned Hardy Amies to produce garments when he was on leave from the Special Operations Executive.

Madge Garland visited the United States to explore the ready-to-wear industry and its marketing methods.

In 1947, Madge Garland was invited to become the first professor of fashion at the Royal College of Art by Robin Darwin, taking up the role a year later.

Madge Garland is said to have inspired Hardy Amies to set up his first fashion enterprise.

Madge Garland left the RCA after its first full graduation show in 1956 and was succeeded by Janey Ironside.

Madge Garland's resignation was reported in the papers, with Garland expressing the view that, after eight years in academia it was time for a change.

Madge Garland continued to act as an advisor to industry, working with Terylene and knitwear manufacturers.

Madge Garland was cared for in her later years in a convent but would use friends' houses to host parties.