by Brooke Varney
London Fashion Week 2014 is rapidly approaching, and promising to be unlike any other we’ve seen before. The wide array of notable designers is bound to attract a crowd of fashion insiders and celebrities, as well as admirers looking to catch a glimpse inside the tents, whether in person or through their computer screens.
For the first time ever, social media is coming into play during London Fashion Week in a big way, allowing fashionistas from practically anywhere in the world to get involved in the festivities. Topshop Unique’s show will now make it possible for anyone to feel like they’re sitting in the front row, as viewers will be able to shop six special pieces from the brand’s click-to-buy collection online, and in their flagship Oxford Circus store in real time as they watch ensembles hit the runway. Some looks will not even debut during the show, but exclusively on Topshop’s Facebook page after the show ends. Along with recruiting five prominent fashion Instagrammers to take over the brand’s social media for the entirety of London Fashion week, fans visiting Topshop’s Oxford Circus store will be able to use the hashtag #TOPSHOPWINDOW, and see themselves incorporated into a giant mosaic of other Instagrammers using the same hashtag. When the show starts at 3 PM on Sunday, the show will be streamed through the mosaic, and will be seen through the store’s front window.
Topshop Unique’s Spring/Summer Collection 2014
Burberry Prorsum is taking a similar approach, as Twitter’s “buy now” button will make its debut immediately after the iconic brand’s show, allowing Twitter users to buy nail polish worn by runway models. Celebs expected to be spotted at the show include Cara Delevingne, who has modeled in Burberry runway shows and print campaigns, as well as actors Eddie Redmayne and Emma Watson, who have also appeared in the brand’s ad campaigns and attended many of their shows. Unfortunately, loyal customer and staple runway guest Harry Styles will most likely be absent from the show this year, as he and the rest of One Direction are currently on tour in the United States.
Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 2014
Sienna Miller and Harry Styles chat front row at Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 2014
Emma Watson and Gwyneth Paltrow front row at Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 2010
Eddie Redmayne and Cara Delevingne at Burberry Prorsum’s Autumn/Winter 2014
Star power will be most likely in full force at Belstaff’s show on Saturday, where we are sure to see lots of clean lines and leather pieces. Hopefully their latest campaign star David Beckham will be in attendance with wife Victoria, who recently debuted her own Spring 2015 collection at New York Fashion Week. Classic London Fashion Week staple Pringle of Scotland will be having a show on Sunday, and will most likely be attended by Tilda Swinton, who has appeared in the brand’s ad campaigns, as well as socialite Olivia Palermo and actresses Rose Byrne and Rosario Dawson.
Belstaff’s Spring/Summer 2014 Collection
David Beckham for Belstaff
Pringle of Scotland’s Spring/Summer 2014 Collection
Rosario Dawson and Tilda Swinton front row at Pringle of Scotland Spring/Summer 2014
Olivia Palermo and Rose Byrne front row at Pringle of Scotland Spring/Summer 2014
Perhaps no other fashion designer has quite as many famous friends as Tom Ford, whose Monday show is sure to attract countless celebrities. Last year’s attendees included Justin Timberlake, wife Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, model girlfriend Suki Waterhouse, and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. Power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z have proven to be big fans of the designer’s pieces, as seen in both Bey’s Mrs. Carter Tour, the duo’s On the Run Tour, and most recently at MTV’s VMA’s where she donned a multi-colored body suit for her show-stopping performance. Lots of mosaic work and tailored leather was featured in Ford’s Spring 2014 collection, so hopefully we will see more of it this year.
Tom Ford Spring 2014
Beyoncé wearing Tom Ford Spring 2014 at her album release party
Beyoncé and Jay-Z sporting matching Tom Ford jerseys
Beyoncé performing at the 2014 VMA’s in a Tom Ford mosaic bodysuit
We can count on designers like Mary Katrantzou, Matthew Williamson, and Jonathan Saunders to debut eclectic new prints and silhouettes, which are loved and worn by many celebrities. Countless stars including Beyoncé, Alexa Chung, and Rihanna have sported Mary Katrantzou’s intricately tailored and patterned designs, which are sure to make attendees of her show feel as if they are at the Tate, rather than London Fashion Week.
Mary Katrantzou Spring/Summer 2014
Rihanna wearing a piece from Mary Katrantzou’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection
Alexa Chung in a dress from Mary Katrantzou’s Autumn/Winter 2011 collection
Beyoncé in a piece from Mary Katrantzou;s Spring/Summer 2013 collection
Matthew Williamson, who describes his designs as “encapsulating a bohemian spirit and a laid back sense of glamour,” has found fans in celebrities and royals alike, from longtime friend and muse Sienna Miller, to Kate Middleton.
Matthew Williamson’s botanical-inspired Spring/Summer 2014 collection
Kate Middleton in Matthew Williamson
Matthew Williamson with Sienna Miller, who is wearing one of his designs
Jonathan Saunders is also known for his work incorporating color and pattern on simple silhouettes, as well as designing an iconic number worn by supermodel Jourdan Dunn during the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic games. It would be lovely to see Saunders incorporate more metallic into his dresses for his spring collection like he did for this occasion. Saunders also has a fan in Kate Middleton, as well as Victoria Beckham who were both spotted sporting his designs.
Victoria Beckham in a Jonathan Saunders tank as she totes daughter, Harper
Kate Middleton in Jonathan Saunders during her Royal Tour of Southeast Asia in the Solomon Islands
Jonathan Saunders and Jourdan Dunn, modeling his piece designed for the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games