By now, you will have probably gathered that this London Fashion Week is full of pleasingly alliterative excitement: McQueen’s return from a Parisian sojourn, Mulberry’s debut under Christopher Kane, Marks & Spencer’s surprising yet confident foray into the schedule. Holding firm will be the familiar big ticket stalwarts showing their SS27 collections — Erdem, Emilia Wickstead, Richard Quinn and, to close things out, Burberry. All great and well worth a watch — on Instagram stories if not from the front row itself.
But what about the rest of the goings-on that will occur during this wild and wonderful week? Who are the names to drop, where are the pop-ups to check out, which of the after-parties are worth a crash attempt? Here’s a diary of everything you need to know — don’t let the editors, buyers and egos have all the fun…
Thursday, September 17
Mithridate
The first show to know is Mithridate. At the helm of this particular ship is Daniel Fletcher, who stepped in as artistic director last year. Expect British heritage infused with Chinese craftsmanship.
3pm, invite only.
Tartan Reimagined: The Barbour Way at Saatchi Gallery
Barbour? At Fashion Week? You bet. Head to the Saatchi Gallery to see the brand’s “immersive, multi-sensory” takeover, which will include a live working factory installation. Things will kick off with an exclusive press event but it will be open to the public on September 18 and 19 at 4.30pm.
eBay Endless Runway
Tune in for the only pre-loved, shoppable show on the schedule this LFW. Adwoa Aboah, Giles Deacon and Raven Smith have donated pieces from their archives and all proceeds will go to charity.
5pm, livestreamed and shoppable.
Harris Reed
A Thursday evening at London Fashion Week can only mean Harris Reed, which, in turn, can only mean theatrical designs and precarious heels. Reed sometimes calls on his A-list pals to get involved (Florence Pugh opened one of his shows last year with a dramatic monologue), so this is one worth watching out for online.
6pm, invite only.
Bella Freud’s AW26 Collection Launch Party and Styling Masterclass
It will be first-come, first-served at the launch of Bella Freud’s AW26 collection, which will take place in the designer’s Chiltern Street store and include a masterclass with stylist Thea Lewis-Yates.
6pm, public event.
Fame, Power, Beauty and Truth in Rachel Cusk’s Life of M
This might be the hottest non-show ticket there is: designer Rejina Pyo discussing the book of the moment. Tickets have sold out, but head to Pyo’s Soho store between 10am and 5pm to see a pop-up Life of M shop featuring signed copies and audio recordings.
7-9pm, public event.
H&M
The retailer usually puts on a starry show, so this is another one to watch out for on social media. Plus, you’ll be able to shop the pieces before long.
8pm, invite only.
Friday, September 18
BFC Jewellery Showcase at Dover Street Market
Anyone can walk into this glittering showcase, featuring established and emerging jewellery names.
11-7pm, public event.
M&S
You know you’re intrigued. Keep an eye on socials for this one, then get ready to hot foot it to your nearest branch before everything sells out.
12pm, invite only.
Annie’s
Time for some gleaming jacquard and lavish embellishment, courtesy of Ibiza queen Annie Doble.
6pm, invite only.
Topshop & Topman party
It might not be showing, but you couldn’t expect Topshop to bow out of all the LFW fun. This promises to be one of the weekend’s biggest after-parties.
8pm, invite only.
Saturday, September 19
Lulu Guinness at Fortnum & Mason
Another big name returning to LFW is Lulu Guinness, who will be unveiling a surrealist reinterpretation of her iconic lips clutch bag at Fortnum & Mason. Press get a preview, but then it’s open to the public.
8.30am, public event.
Talia Byre
A fashion editor favourite, Talia Byre is one to name drop.
10am, invite only.
The British Vogue Nike Café
Your favourite fashion caff is coming back to the Corner Shop at 180 the Strand. Go for celeb spotting and reassuringly expensive sustenance.
10.45am (and Sunday), public event.
Patrick McDowell
A kind soul with a remarkable lack of ego, Patrick McDowell is one of the most exciting London Fashion Week names to know.
11am, invite only.
Making Trouble: 40 Years of Political Tees
Head to magCulture shop in Clerkenwell to see i-D magazine editor-in-chief Steff Yotka discuss protest fashion and slogan T-shirts with Katharine Hamnett and Johnny Banger.
2pm, public event.
Toga
Toga designer Yasuko Furuta is always ahead of the curve when it comes to trends. One to earmark for the best new season pieces.
3pm, invite only.
OpenAREA Flock Together
Nunhead Cemetery might not sound like the most obvious LFW hotspot, but it will play host to an intriguing event from POC birdwatching movement Flock Together, including a guided walk and a sonic exhibition.
5pm, public event.
Richard Quinn
For magnificent sets and opulent designs, look no further than Richard Quinn.
6pm, invite only.
Chopova Lowena
Can’t make it to Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena-Irons’s show? No problem, head to their new Bethnal Green store instead.
8pm, invite only.
Sunday, September 20
Simone Rocha
You can rely on Rocha to put on a good show. Plus, it’s always fun to look out for celeb cameos on her catwalk — Alexa Chung, Bel Powley and Fiona Shaw are among previous stars.
10am, invite only.
Edeline Lee
It’s usually a joy to see Edeline Lee’s structured, feminine designs, and this season will almost certainly prove no exception.
11am, invite only.
Erdem
A starry front row, agenda-setting designs — what’s not to like about an Erdem show?
12pm, invite only.
Emilia Wickstead
Another classic. One to watch if you’re intrigued by colour combinations to know.
1pm, invite only.
Labrum
Fashion designer Foday Dumbuya always draws a cool crowd. Expect West African heritage combined with British tailoring.
2pm, invite only.
Mulberry by Christopher Kane
A hotly anticipated one, this: Christopher Kane’s first collection for Mulberry. Apparently the three tenets will be town, city and country. Colour us intrigued.
3pm, invite only.
McQueen
Here we go! McQueen is back for the first time since switching to Paris in 2001.
8pm, invite only.
Monday, September 21
Selasi
All discerning eyes will be on artist Ronan Mckenzie’s newest collection.
10am, invite only.
Tolu Coker presentation
It’s definitelyworth worth checking out the brilliant British-Nigerian designer’s latest collection — the King popped up at his last show.
12.30-2.30pm, invite only.
Burberry
You know Burbs will go out with a star-studded bang. Last season’s show was at Old Billingsgate, so all bets are off about the venue.
7pm, invite only.
