A fantasy jet by Marc Newson, sunglasses by Ron Arad and a Zaha Hadid illustrated vortex all feature in “Objects on Paper,” a story from the latest issue of A Magazine Curated By. This edition of the fashion title—which asks a different designer to sculpt its contents for each installment—is the creation of Stephen Jones, a London-based milliner who has made headpieces for the likes of Björk and Grace Jones and collaborated with designers including Christian Dior, Balenciaga and Marc Jacobs. As curator, Jones dedicated his issue to his muse, the legendary hat-wearer and Italian fashion writer Anna Piaggi, whose kaleidoscopic sartorial style has been much missed on the front row of fashion défilés since her death at the age of 81 last year. Now in its 12th edition, the Belgian-published tome explores its curators’ individual worlds, celebrating their ethos. Jones mined his erudite address book to compile the magazine, which also features Jake & Dinos Chapman, Hamish Bowles and Giles Deacon between its richly printed pages. “It is about finding the right time to work with various people on our radar—catching some at the emerging stage, or others when they are firmly established,” says the magazine’s Editor in Chief Dan Thawley. “We always look for a designer with something to say off the runway.” 

How did you first get involved in guest editing this issue? 
Stephen Jones: I was in Florence at lunch with Linda Loppa, the director of the fashion school Polimoda and her husband Dirk van den Eynden who is the director of A Magazine Curated By. She suggested to us that I create an issue. I was delighted but scared because I’d always respected it since the first issue came out 10 years ago—but following in the footsteps of Margiela and Yohji, wow! 

What was the most memorable moment from the whole experience? 
SJ: I think visiting Howard Tangye in his studio. He is such an extraordinary illustrator and fashion authority but when I saw that the illustrations that he was working on were almost lifesize portraits I could not believe it. The artistry, the commitment, the work—it was an honor to be there. 

Could you tell us about your relationship with Anna Piaggi? 
SJ: Anna was like my second mother. We met with Manolo [Blahnik] when she was editing Vanity magazine in Italy in the early 80s. It was a story about hats and shoes photographed in the Portobello Hotel by her husband Alfa Castaldi. Since then we became inseparable but I always knew it was mainly because I’m a milliner, not only that we were good friends! I think she is still a magical and iconic figure, like Diana Vreeland or Coco Chanel.