Serena Sinclair Lesley
Serena Dunn Lesley | |
|---|---|
| Born | Serena Dunn Kamper Template:Birth date Santa Barbara, California, U.S. |
| Died | January 6, 2016 (aged 89) |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, fashion editor |
| Years active | 1960–1984 |
| Known for | Longest-tenured fashion editor at The Daily Telegraph; coverage of 1960s youthquake fashion; Fashion Writer Of The Year Award (1970) |
Serena Dunn Lesley (born Kamper; previously Sinclair; March 29, 1926 – January 6, 2016) was an American journalist notable for being the longest-tenured fashion editor at London's The Daily Telegraph. Under the byline Serena Sinclair, she reported on fashion and travel topics for The Telegraph between 1960 and 1984. In addition to her print work, Lesley appeared on BBC radio and television programs and contributed articles to the Christian Science Monitor.
Her coverage of the 1960s youthquake fashion upheaval brought her considerable acclaim, culminating in winning the Fashion Writer Of The Year Award in 1970. Lesley’s journalism focused on creating fashionable wardrobes that remained affordable, mirroring shifting consumer perspectives.
Early life and education
Born Serena Dunn Kamper in Santa Barbara, California, she was the daughter of Margaret (Dunn) and Gustav Kamper and raised within the Christian Science tradition. She pursued higher education at Wellesley College before earning her degree from Principia College, a Christian Science-affiliated private college in Illinois.
Early career
Kamper commenced her professional journey as a general reporter with the Santa Barbara News-Press.
Fashion editor
Lesley became well-known for her reporting on the 1960s youthquake trend and the subsequent resurgence of more refined fashion. Her articles promoted practical dressing that suited changing lifestyles and underscored clothing’s inherent value. Drawing on her expertise, The Telegraph introduced a mail-order line providing women with fashionable yet reasonably priced apparel.
Awards
In 1970, Lesley was honored with the Fashion Writer Of The Year Award.