From February 19 to 23, the semi-annual London Fashion Week took place for the 42nd year, spanning across 40 shows. It is a series of events where designers can showcase their newest collections during high-end and innovative runway shows. Alongside New York, Milan and Paris, London Fashion Week is one of the biggest events in the fashion industry.
This year, the event’s principal partner was Omoda, a car company that sponsored the week. The vehicle was highlighted throughout, including artsy installations in the shows, and providing VIP transport for the guests. Together, Omado and London Fashion Week highlight the key themes of creativity and innovation.
For the second year, the British Fashion Council (BFC) —the organisation that oversees fashion week and supports the British fashion industry year-round—waived show fees for designers. This represented an increased opportunity for brands to showcase their clothing. Twice as many international guests attended, with international brands such as Armani and Versace choosing to showcase their collections in London instead of their native cities. In total, 90 designers attended, 11% more than last season.
London Fashion Week has a social focus aside from just highlighting fashion. The primary way to earn an invite is to apply for an industry pass through the BFC, showing either proof of working in the fashion industry or a significant social media presence. However, bigger celebrities typically get invited by a brand to increase publicity. This year, Kate Moss, Keira Knightley and King Charles all attended, with the king making history as the first British monarch to sit in the front row.
While events primarily host individuals with industry involvement or by special invitation, people can also buy tickets to runway shows, designer showcases, brand pop-ups and panels. VIP tickets even include opportunities to sit in the front row—next to A-list celebrities—and meet the designers.
While fashion week always highlights a plethora of new styles, a few trends dominated. These included structured silhouettes, showcasing belts and shoulder pads to define shape. Bold accessories were spotted in the form of intricate brooches and corsages. Many designers also included fringe, feathers and furs to elevate traditional basics.
Established designers like Burberry, Conner Ives and Harris Reed all brought exceptional looks—maintaining the essence of their brand while debuting new styles. One of the best showcases was by up-and-coming designer Tolu Coker, blending her Nigerian culture with British fashion with mini dresses and outerwear. This was the biggest year yet for London Fashion Week, and the event will only grow in prominence in years to come.