By Alyssa Boddicker
Put on twice a year by the British Fashion Council, London Fashion Week is five days of fashion shows, presentations, and events that highlight over 250 of Britain’s biggest and brightest in the fashion industry. Seeing as the big week is coming up this Friday, we decided to do a little overview of just what to expect from the catwalks and beyond.
Whats New?
The largest change to London Fashion Week this year is the main venue. Switched from it’s six year run at the regal Somerset House to the more industrial Brewer Street Car Park in Soho, this industrial space is sure to add a modern edge to Fashion Week’s main venue. BFC’s reasoning behind the switch was because Brewer Street Car Park’s location is right in the hustle bustle of Oxford and Bond Street, perfect for hitting the shops after the shows.
The Shows
TOPSHOP UNIQUE: The best show for those who love fashion but can only usually afford high street, TOPSHOP UNIQUE brings the two worlds together with innovative and celebrity endorsed collections. Star-studded in attendance and support of the collection, the TOPSHOP UNIQUE show gives us the best of both worlds when it comes to celebrities and fashion coming together. The TOPSHOP UNIQUE show will be on Sunday 21st February at 2pm.
House of Holland: Put on the map for his cheeky slogan graphic tees, the House of Holland is a bright and lively change from the more refined British fashion shows during Fashion Week. Loud colors, patterns, and textures will be coming at you live on the 20th February at 7pm.
Burberry: Arguably the biggest name in British fashion, Burberry puts on amazing shows year after year. Their iconic trench coats, patterns, and overall British style are what put them on the map and with the help of Christopher Bailey, their Chief Creative and Chief Executive Officer since 2001 has brought the brand into the modern age. We’re looking forward too seeing what this iconic brand will bring out for their AW 2016 show, 22nd February at 1pm.
Alexander McQueen: One of the most well respected fashion houses all coming from Lee McQueen’s start in 1992, in just 10 years Alexander McQueen’s raw energy and drama perfectly laced with romanticism is what made the brand a household name. Known for his juxtaposing elements, such as fragility and strength and tradition and modernity, Alexander McQueen as a brand combines all these things with pristine British tailoring and craftsmanship that make jaws drop every collection. Sarah Burton joined the company in 1996, became Head of Womenswear in 2000 and was appointed as Creative Director in 2010. We are excited to see what type of collection she will bring the McQueen brand this London Fashion Week. The show will be Sunday 21st February at 7pm.
Christopher Kane: London based Scotsman known for his intense patterns and lines is a collection we’re all looking forward to this London Fashion Week. Christopher Kane’s experimentation with shape of clothing was so well received his line is now part of the Kering Group (a world leader in apparel and accessories with other brands like Alexander McQueen), so we’re anxious to see what this type of support will do for his collection. The Christopher Kane show will be at 3pm, Monday 22nd February.
Mulberry: Any fashion savvy Brit knows the tree logo of the Mulberry brand. The British lifestyle brand most loved for their leather goods is showing their first collection under new Creative Director Johnny Coca on Sunday 21st February at 4pm.
Sophia Webster: Launching her shoe brand just four years ago, Sophia Webster has quickly become Britain’s go to for one of a kind shoe designs. Her creative background as a dance knows the importance of the beauty of feet and her designs make people like they are wearing artwork and not a shoe. Her presentation will kick off on Monday 22nd February at 9am.
The Celebs
The second coming of supermodels have officially arrived thanks to the little social network called Instagram. These “social supermodels” whether retired or still strutting their stuff on the catwalks will most definitely keep their fans updated on their London Fashion Week through Snapchats, Instagrams, and Tweets – that we’ll all be jealous of.
When it comes to those in attendance models and ex models alike from Cara and Kate, to Gigi and Kendall, are sure to be found in the most prestigious shows.
The Events
For those of us who aren’t lucky enough to score those exclusive runway seats, there is still plenty to do for Fashion Week that is open to everyone.
The Vogue 100 exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery just opened on 11 February and features “A Century of Style” with prints capturing 100 years of British Vogue magazines. There are over 280 prints from the Condé Nast archive that have you traveling through times of fashion history with these images gathered all together for the first time ever. There are also a number of events going on in collaboration with the exhibition such as film screenings and “Vogue After Hours” featuring cocktails, music, and fashionistas dressed to the nines. All these events as well as admission into the exhibition require tickets. Advanced booking is highly recommended by National Portrait Gallery and are available for purchase here.
Haute-Tea hosted by Hyatt Regency’s The Montagu in London is another way to feel like you’re part of the fashion, as well as traditional British, fun. Modeled after influential fashion stars and their most famous moments such as Audrey Hepburn’s My Fair Lady hat and Marilyn Monroe’s flying dress. Filled with both sweet eats, savory treats and even a cocktail, all with a fashionista’s edge, Haute-Tea at The Montagu ranged from £38 on weekdays and £47 on weekends and only open until 31 March. Reservations are available here.
London Fashion Weekend is the weekend after fashion week ends and acts as “Fashion’s Biggest Pop Up” to the public. Based out of the Saatchi Gallery, this year London Fashion Weekend gets even bigger with runway shows and presentations from large designers such as Emilia Wickstead, Holly Fulton, Mary Katrantzou and Temperley London to show their SS16 collections. This weekend brings over 150 men’s and women’s brands to shop from, many coming with discounted rates, this is the ultimate fashion shopping stop for those selective pieces. Fashion talks and other events thorughout the weekend bring out some of the big names like Net-A-Porter’s founder Natalie Massenet and footwear designer Nicholas Kirkwood. Buy your tickets for London Fashion Weekend here.
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