London Fashion Week marked its 40th anniversary with a spectacular celebration of style, where star power, nostalgic nods, and avant-garde fashion converged on and off the runway. From the runway debuts of iconic supermodels to the glittering BAFTA after-party, here’s a glimpse into the vibrant festivities that unfolded during this milestone fashion event.
JW Anderson’s runway served as a canvas for a nostalgic British narrative, blending chunky knits, trench coats, and school uniform staples in a subversive twist. Designer Jonathan Anderson drew inspiration from ‘odd type’ characters in Britain, exploring the distortions and proportions of nosy neighbors through Generation Z’s lens of constant remixing and referencing past trends with a modern twist.
As London Fashion Week turned 40, the runways were ablaze with key trends. From floral brows and big coats to lashings of fake fur, the fashion landscape embraced diversity and innovation. Notably, a new ‘it’ color emerged, as shades of burgundy and oxblood replaced the once-popular scarlet, exuding an aura of wealth, status, and power across various designer collections.
The spotlight shifted to Burberry, where chief creative officer Daniel Lee faced high stakes amid tepid responses to previous collections. The runway, adorned with giant flags, showcased a lineup of British supermodels, including Agyness Deyn and Naomi Campbell. The collection featured outerwear in nudes and olives, emphasizing both coziness and style edge, alongside romantic plaid maxi-kilts and chunky scarves.
The BAFTA Film Awards injected Hollywood stardust into the week, with stars like Rosamund Pike and Kristin Scott Thomas gracing front rows. Some even took to the runway, with Joanna Lumley making a memorable appearance. The BAFTA after-party, hosted by British Vogue and Tiffany & Co., became a gathering of A-listers, marking a noteworthy moment for British Vogue’s head of editorial content, Chioma Nnadi.
Contrary to the expected grungy streetwear, designers offered options for the glamour-hungry crowd. Erdem presented draped cocktail dresses and embellished skirt suits, while Marco Capaldo of 16Arlington showcased a slinky vision of sophistication with fuzzy oversize handbags and shimmering silver evening pieces.
Dilara Findikoglu made a powerful return with a sexually charged collection challenging toxic masculinity. The unconventional runway, set in traditional places of worship, featured deconstructed corporate suiting, boned underwear, and PVC pieces. In contrast, Simone Rocha closed her triptych with a collection inspired by Queen Victoria’s mourning attire, presented in a 12th-century church.
As London Fashion Week embraced diversity, creativity, and a nod to the past, it affirmed its status as a global fashion force. The 40th-anniversary celebration showcased not only the evolution of British fashion but also its unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining style for years to come.
