Lisa Armstrong
Head of fashion at The Daily Telegraph
Lisa Armstrong is a British fashion journalist and head of fashion at The Daily Telegraph, which she joined in 2011 after 12 years as fashion editor of The Times. Appointed OBE in 2022 for services to fashion, she is one of the most established newspaper fashion writers in the UK.
| Role | Head of fashion, The Daily Telegraph |
|---|---|
| Joined Telegraph | 2011 |
| Previously | Fashion editor, The Times (12 years) |
| Honour | OBE (2022) |
| Awards | Fashion Journalist of the Year 2002, 2017, 2019 |
Who is Lisa Armstrong?
Lisa Armstrong is a British fashion journalist and the head of fashion at The Daily Telegraph. Over a career spanning magazines and national newspapers, she has reported on collections, the fashion business and the British fashion industry for a broad readership. She was appointed OBE in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to fashion.
Career
Armstrong studied English and French literature at the University of Bristol, graduating in 1984, and journalism at City, University of London. Her career began at Elle UK, where she was hired by Sally Brampton. She then worked at British Vogue under the editors Liz Tilberis and Alexandra Shulman.
Moving to newspapers, she was fashion editor of The Independent and then fashion editor of The Times for 12 years. In April 2011 Press Gazette reported that she would join Telegraph Media Group in the same role, and she has since led the paper's fashion coverage as head of fashion. Since 2015 she has also written a beauty column for The Telegraph.
She has published several novels with fashion settings, including Front Row (1998), Dead Stylish (2001), Bad Manors (2004) and Déjà View (2005).
Influence on the fashion business
National newspapers bring fashion to readers who may never visit a fashion website, and Armstrong's role at The Telegraph gives her considerable reach among British consumers. Her influence shows in several areas:
- Reviews of London, Milan, Paris and New York collections for a mainstream audience
- Coverage of British designers, retailers and the domestic fashion industry
- Recognition by peers, including Fashion Journalist of the Year awards in 2002, 2017 and 2019
- An honorary doctorate from the University of the Arts London in 2011
In 2000 she was invited to choose the Fashion Museum Bath's Dress of the Year, selecting the green Versace dress worn by Jennifer Lopez, an image that became one of the most recognised fashion moments of its time.
Why it matters
For brands and retailers, newspaper fashion editors remain important gatekeepers for reaching affluent, mainstream consumers. Armstrong's long tenure at The Times and The Telegraph has made her a consistent interpreter of fashion for British readers, and her career reflects how fashion journalism has expanded from print into digital newsletters, podcasts and online coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Lisa Armstrong?
Lisa Armstrong is a British fashion journalist and head of fashion at The Daily Telegraph, which she joined in 2011. She was previously fashion editor of The Times for 12 years.
What awards has Lisa Armstrong received?
She was named Fashion Journalist of the Year in 2002, 2017 and 2019, and was appointed OBE in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to fashion.