London Fashion Week presented by 1664 Blanc is taking place from 18—22 September, with more traditional runways, digital shows and immersive installations than previous seasons. Along with New York, Milan and Paris, London Fashion Week is one of the industry’s ‘big four’ fashion weeks and a significant transformation is underway with SS26 being the first season helmed by British Fashion Council CEO, Laura Weir.
Yesterday, at Westminster Hall- Houses of Parliament, in anticipation of London Fashion Week presented by 1664 Blanc, Rosie Wrighting MP hosted a debate discussing ‘The Cultural Contribution of London Fashion Week’. ‘London Fashion Week reflects who we are, and it shows the world that Britain is and will remain a nation of innovation, artistry and resilience’, she said. ‘It cements Britain’s position as a global leader in fashion and strengthens the UK’s soft power. It is a beacon for the very best of our creativity, craftsmanship and bold innovation.’
Laura Weir, CEO of the British Fashion Council, who has eliminated the fees that fashion designers had to pay to showcase on the official schedule, said: ‘London Fashion Week is more than a series of shows, it is a showcase of the UK’s cultural and commercial strength, creative excellence and global influence. This debate is a powerful recognition of the role fashion plays in our national story and the British Fashion Council will continue to work with government, industry, and our designer community to ensure that British fashion remains a driving force for culture, talent, and growth.’
Fashion is a vital part of our creative economy, generating an estimated £60 billion every year. So giving a platform to established fashion designers as well as emerging talent is key, with the British Fashion Council curating the biannual LFW in February and September. Beyond London, the BFC has invested in its City Wide Celebration with over 1,000 activations taking place across Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle. Mark your diaries and let’s take a look at the stalwarts and the debuts, the activations and the parties ahead of the packed SS26 runway schedule at London Fashion Week!
Sustainability Spotlight
The British Fashion Council has introduced eco-conscious requirements; applicants to the NewGen scheme, which envisions elevating emerging talent, must have an approved sustainability strategy in place, agree to avoid the destruction of unsold clothes and samples, and abide by a strict criteria that at least 60 percent of a collection must comprise of certified, preferred, or deadstock materials, include no virgin fur, wild animals skins or feathers, and eliminate the use of single-use props and plastic packaging in showcases.
The Stalwarts And The Milestones
Harris Reed, Burberry, Temperley London, Saville Row, Erdem, Richard Quinn, Simone Rocha and cult label Chopova Lowena are the sought-after shows and presentations on the SS26 calendar. All eyes will be on Burberry where new CEO Joshua Schulman aims to position the luxury brand as timeless British style. JW Anderson is skipping this edition but the Northern Irish fashion designer will stage a “special evening event” in collaboration with the British Fashion Council to celebrate the relaunch of the brand into a lifestyle label.
The first night of London Fashion Week however will be dominated by fast fashion giant H&M, which is readying a multi-pronged experience. The runway will feature three lines, including H&M Atelier, intended to shape the perception that the fashion brand is about more than inexpensive basics! Talent incubator Fashion East, led by Lulu Kennedy, is marking its 25th year with a line-up featuring Barcelona designer Jacek Gleba and Mayhew styled in collaboration with creative partner Lara McGrath. Fashion East will also be creating a London Fashion Week Hub, in partnership with Dazed and Nike, at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, featuring a retrospective exhibition, panel talks open to the public, and film screenings.
The SS26 season is marking several milestone moments, from Roksanda celebrating her 20th anniversary to David Koma hosting his 15th year anniversary dinner and Patrick McDowell hosting a catwalk show before his 30th birthday. Other designers marking milestones include Taiwan-based Jenn Lenn, returning to LFW to celebrate her 10th anniversary with a collection inspired by literary classic Dream of the Red Chamber. Her presentation promises to combine “fashion, performance, and technology into an unforgettable showcase”.
British fashion brand Rixo will be hosting a presentation for its 10th anniversary and its SS26 collection will include designs featuring Liberty fabrics. The vintage-inspired label will also be celebrating with a limited-edition charity T-shirt to support War Child, inspired by anti-war posters from the revolutionary 60s and 70s, as well as the distinctive illustration styles of artists like Picasso. The SS26 presentation will also start a year-long programme of celebrations for Rixo and a branded bus outside the venue, which has been transformed into an exhibition charting the brand’s journey.
SS26 highlights include Patrick McDowell, the 2025 winner of Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, who will reposition his eponymous label for continued growth. Swedish fast fashion giant H&M will also return to the schedule with an exciting runway format.
The Debuts
London has a compelling roster of fresh talent. Newgen recruits Oscar Ouyang and Josh Ewusie will make their catwalk debuts alongside Talia Byre, who until now has shown only through salon-style intimate showings. Aletta’s Freddy Coomes and Matt Empringham will join the schedule with a digital showcase, while Lucila Safdie will stage her first in-person presentation.
Chopova Lowena, winners of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2024, who, after releasing a successful fragrance line, will be returning to the schedule. Dilara Findikoglu and Conner Ives, this year’s recipient of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, are both returning to the biannual format.
Hungarian contemporary fashion brand Nanushka will make its LFW debut with a runway show featuring womenswear, menswear, and fashion accessories. The Budapest-based label has previously showcased at New York Fashion Week and Budapest Central European Fashion Week.
LFW will also witness the presence of iconic Indian fashion designer Anamika Khanna showcasing her contemporary label AK|OK. On joining the SS26 line-up, Khanna said: “London represents a fearless creative expression, a natural outcome of its rich cultural diversity. I cannot envision a more appropriate platform for AK|OK to meet the world.”
Vogue Café Opens
This season, Vogue and Nike are transforming 180 Corner Shop — a grocer, baker and café from Nick Jones — into a fashion week hub, which should provide a little oasis in the frenetic pace of fashion week. From Saturday 19 to Monday 21 September, the space will host a line-up of both invite-only panel talks and cocktails, and open-to-all events. Nike ambassadors will lead wellbeing sessions designed to rejuvenate tired show guests while sumptuous treats will help keep spirits high!!
International Guest List
The international guest list includes buyers from Galeries Lafayette, Chalhoub Group, Dover Street Market, Le Bon Marché, Saks Fifth Avenue, Printemps, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and more. Key global press include The Cut editor-in-chief Lindsay Peoples and chief critic Cathy Horyn, along with editors from Vogue Japan and France, W Korea, Dazed MENA and Grazia Italia. Social media commentators will also be flying in including Nicky Campbell, Ashantéa Austin, Luke Meagher, Hanan Besovic, Beka Gvishiani, Mandy Lee and Rian Phin.
‘We have doubled our investment in the International Guest Programme, so that the world’s most influential editors, buyers and cultural voices are here in our city and are physically present to see the brilliance of British designers up close,’ Weir told Vogue Business. ‘We have sharpened our focus on strategic markets and extended the length of guest stays. As part of this increased investment, we have introduced a minimum requirement for attendance at shows and bespoke coverage commitments. We have seen fantastic uptake this season with various industry big hitters in town as part of the programme who might not have otherwise travelled to the city.’
History of British Fashion Council
The British Fashion Council was founded in the early 80s by visionary industry professionals determined to elevate the profile of British fashion and create a collaborative network that would bridge creative talent with commercial opportunities.
In its formative years, the Council focused on forging key collaborations with iconic fashion designers and cultural institutions. These partnerships were instrumental in promoting British design and cultivating an environment where innovation could flourish, setting the stage for a dynamic fashion ecosystem. The launch of several famous collections and high-profile fashion shows marked a significant turning point in the Council evolution, captured global attention and underscored the creativity of the British fashion industry.
A series of milestones followed, including the establishment of London Fashion Week as a premier event on the international fashion calendar. This achievement bolstered the reputation of British fashion and provided a critical platform for emerging designers to showcase their work alongside established brands. In parallel with its growing influence, the British Fashion Council embraced sustainability initiatives. By championing ethical production methods, recycling innovations, and the use of sustainable materials, the organisation has made significant strides in reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
Strategic acquisitions and partnerships with industry bodies further strengthened its position and enhanced its ability to support designers through digital innovations, mentorship programmes, and expanded global outreach, ensuring British fashion remains competitive and relevant. Today, the British Fashion Council stands as a testament to decades of innovation, resilience, and collaborative progress. Its history is marked by a continual evolution that reflects the changing dynamics of the fashion industry while preserving the rich heritage and creative spirit of Britain.
The British Fashion Council announced Laura Weir as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 28 April 2025. Laura Weir succeeds Caroline Rush, who has led the council for fifteen years. Recognised as a leader in the fashion industry, Laura Weir brings a knowledge of British fashion, executive board level experience in retail, and editorial industry leadership. Weir is also an experienced fashion journalist who has written for the London Evening Standard’s ES Magazine, The Sunday Times, and British Vogue. She joined British retailer Selfridges in January 2023, overseeing creative, marketing and communications.
Jasmeen Dugal is Associate Editor at FashionABC, contributing her insights on fashion, technology, and sustainability. She brings with herself more than two decades of editorial experience, working for national newspapers and luxury magazines in India.
Jasmeen Dugal has worked with exchange4media as a senior writer contributing articles on the country’s advertising and marketing movements, and then with Condenast India as Net Editor where she helmed Vogue India’s official website in terms of design, layout and daily content. Besides this, she is also an entrepreneur running her own luxury portal, Explosivefashion, which highlights the latest in luxury fashion and hospitality.
