Since it first hit the newsstands on 15 September 1916, its near-1,500 issues (it ran weekly and bi-weekly before eventually becoming a monthly) have documented and shaped British life, going far beyond the fripperies of fashion to reflect an ever-evolving culture and society. This week, London’s National Portrait Gallery opens Vogue 100: A Century of Style, a major retrospective exhibition chronicling the remarkable archive of work produced for British Vogue, telling the story of one of the world’s most influential magazines.

“Happy 100th Birthday, Vogue”

Fashion is Indestructible by Cecil Beaton. Photograph: Condé Nast Publications Ltd

Anne Gunning in Jaipur by Norman Parkinson, 1956 CREDIT: NORMAN PARKINSON ARCHIVE/NPG

Fred Astaire by André de Dienes, 1939 Photo: The Conde Nast Publications

Photograph by Cecil Beaton titled The Second Age of Beauty is Glamour. Photograph: Cecil Beaton/Conde Nast Publications

German supermodel Claudia Schiffer is portrayed as the ultimate rock chick while on the back of a motorcycle in an image taken in Paris by photographer Herb Ritts in 1989

David Hockney, Peter Schlesinger and Maudie James appear in the major exhibition celebrating 100 years of British Vogue. Photograph: Conde Nast Publications

Princess Diana, photographed in her tiara by Patrick Demarchelier in 1990

Canadian model Linda Evangelista sports a striking red cropped hairdo in one glamorous shot taken in 1991 by Patrick Demarchelier

The National Portrait Gallery is to mark the magazine’s centenary next year with Vogue 100: A Century of Style. Claudia Schiffer in Paris by Herb Ritts, 1989 and Linda Evangelista by Patrick Demarchelier, 1991

Kate Moss by Mario Testino, both recent Vogue regulars. Photograph: Mario Testino/Conde Nast Publications

David and Victoria Beckham at the Midland Hotel, Manchester by Juergen Teller.

Dutch beauty Lara Stone, 32, is portrayed at the ultimate belle of the ball in an awe-inspiring picture by Mario Testino, taken in Carlton House Terrace in 2009

Limelight Nights by Helmut Newton, 1973.Photograph: ©The Condé Nast Publications Ltd

'Kate Moss at the Master Shipwright¿s House' was taken in Deptford in 2008 by Mario Testino. The 42-year-old supermodel is dressed in a Union Jack-print blazer and off-white puffball skirt

Lily Donaldson and the Spitfire Pilot by Tim Walker.

The first edition of British Vogue, dated 15 September 1916, and the March 2016 issue. Photograph: © The Condé Nast Publications Ltd

“Vogue 100: A Century of Style”

 “Vogue 100: A Century of Style” exhibiting the photographs that has been commissioned by British Vogue since it was founded in 1916 at National Portrait Gallery on February 10, 2016 in London, England.

Journalists attend the press preview for “Vogue 100: A Century of Style” exhibiting the photographs that has been commissioned by British Vogue since it was founded in 1916 at National Portrait Gallery on February 10, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

London traces the history of the British edition of the 'fashion Bible'

EFE Facundo Arrizabalaga

Giant photographs and cabinets with old editions of Vogue.EFE-Facundo Arrizabalaga

The model Gemma Ward photographed by Paolo Roversi for Vogue in 2004.

(Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

Alexander McQueen photographed by Tim Walker in 2009. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

A Century of Style” exhibiting the photographs that has been commissioned by British Vogue since it was founded in 1916 at National Portrait Gallery on February 10, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

Portrait of Margaret Thatcher for Vogue.EFE Facundo Arrizabalaga

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