London-based members of the fashion industry breathed a sigh of relief today, as another season of London Fashion Week has come and gone.
It might be over for now, but here’s a look back at some of the best moments from February’s most fashionable long weekend, from Romeo Beckham on the Burberry catwalk to the King front row at Tolu Coker, with plenty of celebrity sightings, raucous parties and great design in between.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Romeo Beckham walked for Burberry
For once, London’s dark and rainy tendencies were very welcome when time came for the Burberry show that closed LFW on Monday night. Guests arrived at Old Billingsgate Market to find a show as star-studded as expected; Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Romeo Beckham were on the catwalk, while stars including Simone Ashley, Kate Moss and Olivia Dean watched on.
The collection was deliciously dark — all inky blue trenches, oil-slick leather and vampy fur trims — and perfect for staying chic in the wet weather.
Kim Cattrall sat front row at Conner Ives
As front row appearances go, Kim Cattrall wrapped in a statement Conner Ives coat takes some beating. All the better that she was seated next to Lila Moss, whose supermodel mum made headlines in the style earlier this winter. The hedonistic collection took inspiration from the Weimar Republic, the period during the 1920s and ’30s before Nazi rule took hold in Germany.
Erdem celebrated its 20th anniversary
Erdem’s star power gave Burberry a run for its money this season, with Glenn Close, Keira Knightley, Bel Powley and Helen Mirren all front row. Founder and designer Erdem Moralıoğlu celebrated his eponymous label's 20th anniversary with a collection that showed, once again, that this is a designer of whom the nation should be proud.
Simone Rocha showed at Ally Pally
For those without a sleek branded BMW to roll up in, it was quite the hike to get to Simone Rocha at Alexandra Palace on Sunday. But the cardio was worth it for Rocha’s standout show, which combined the dreamy romanticism that has made this designer a LFW favourite with a surprise sporty collaboration — with Adidas Originals.
If anyone could make a three-stripe tracksuit look like it belongs with ethereal silhouettes, coquetteish bows and pearl zippers, it’s Simone. A rumour that Julia Roberts was sitting front row sadly turned out to be false, but Chloe Fineman and Arlo Parks did make it.
Jemima Kirke played host for Completedworks
Completedworks has made a name for itself on the London Fashion Week schedule by delivering satirical ‘micro-plays’ that present its jewellery and objets d’art in a hyperstyled light. There was a definite frisson in the air of the packed-out room of Nobu Portman Square in Marylebone on Saturday afternoon, as the fashion crowd waited to see who this season’s special guest would be.
After a (purposefully?) protracted wait, it turned out to be Jemima Kirke, who adopted a southern drawl to become the ‘child star, tycoon’s wife, well-heeled divorcée, wellness guru’ protagonist of the mock lifestyle-cum-televised-dinner-party show.
The stars descended on The Standard
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There are hundreds of after-parties and gatherings to frequent over LFW, but this year The Standard hotel in King’s Cross seemed to possess the strongest gravitational pull when it came to attracting stars. Rumours quickly spread that the Sugababes were the surprise guest at the ROTATE x Snapchat party at Sweeties on Friday night, and those who believed it were rewarded with an intimate performance from a girl band that sounds better than ever.
Just across the corridor at Decimo, The London Standard hosted a raucous dinner with Damian Hurley, with Patsy Kensit in attendance.
Joseph returned in style
It was one of the most eagerly anticipated shows on the LFW schedule — and, on the whole, Joseph’s runway return didn’t disappoint. The sleek, polished concrete setting within Tate Modern was suggestive of the kind of quiet luxury the brand has always represented, but the clothes on show turned out to be far more exciting.
The weighty swish of porcupine quills (3-D printed, mind you) rustled from a cream cashmere jumper, exaggerated fur cuffs brought texture to monochromatic looks, a flash of chainmail peeped out from corporate grey tailoring. Were some pieces a snake-print too far? Possibly. But most boded very well for this comeback kid.
The King showed up for Tolu Coker
LFW started with a bang when a Rolls-Royce Phantom IV state car rolled up at the NewGen Space at 180 Strand and King Charles hopped out, bound for the front row of Tolu Coker’s show. It was a full circle moment for the British-Nigerian designer, who received mentorship through the Prince’s Trust when she set up her eponymous sustainable luxury brand in 2021. The King, seated between Stella McCartney and British Fashion Council CEO Laura Weir, watched on as Little Simz performed with The Compozers.
The collection, entitled ‘Survivor’s Remorse’, struck an autobiographical note, set in a recreation of the Mozart Estate, the West London council estate where Coker grew up. Sharp tailoring and heritage wool met flounced mini skirts, vibrant shocks of colour and Manolo Blahnik heels.
