No one better summed up the mood of Britain’s great, but struggling, independent labels this London Fashion Week than the young American-born, UK-based designer Conner Ives, who described the experience in his show notes: “Your world is falling apart while you’re just trying to put on a musical.”
Indeed, on the autumn-winter 2025 circuit countless designers made reference to the trying times British fashion is facing, with many reeling from the collapse of retailers, decreased luxury spending and a sense of instability worldwide. Yet it was hope, resilience and a dash of creative thinking that shaped a set of collections where homegrown stars took centre stage. Sponsors from Converse to KFC, 1664 Blanc to Mercedes-Benz helped. The music played on.
