LONDON, Sept 1, 2009 (AFP) - London's famously dishevelled mayor, Boris Johnson, will grace the cover of fashion bible Elle next month in what many will see as a surprising partnership to mark 25 years of London Fashion Week.

Johnson is recognised as much for his untidy shock of blonde hair and his chaotic appearance as his politics -- and the mayor himself admitted putting him on the front of the world's biggest-selling fashion magazine was a gamble.

"Lorraine (Candy, Elle's editor in chief) took what for many might seem a huge risk. Who would have expected me to grace an Elle cover -- or any other fashion magazine?" he said.

The cover shows Johnson in his trademark dark suit and white shirt with no tie, surrounded by lyrics from the Clash's "London Calling", echoing a similar cover last year starring fellow London resident Sienna Miller.

"The capital leads the world in producing innovative designers, so I'm thrilled to have been involved in this special issue celebrating 25 years of London Fashion Week," added Johnson.

London Fashion Week takes place from September 18 to 22.