Hair spray canisters jingling, stiletto heels clicking and jaw-dropping jewellery clacking – these are just some of the many instruments that make up the London Fashion Week chorus.
From Thursday 15 September 2023, the fashion week festivities will officially begin, ushering in the It-girls and the fashion-boys, A-list celebrities and their legendary stylists, and sometimes even royalty.
From its humble beginnings in the car park of the Commonwealth Institute back in 1984, to what has become one of the most important dates in the global fashion calendar – LFW has hosted debuts from the likes of John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, and even more contemporary talents including Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha and Jonathan Anderson. Likewise, Kate Moss made her catwalk debut at London Fashion Week in 1989, which helped to propel her into global superstardom.
Indeed, what began as a 15-designer-strong show in Kensington Olympia has blossomed and boomed into a four-day event spread throughout the heart of central London, complemented by fabulous parties and even more decadent after-parties. Showcasing both historical and emerging talents is the name of the game and, 32 years later, the world-famous event continues to provide a springboard for young designers and recent college graduates.
Over the years, however, the battle for coveted seats on the front row of some of the biggest designer’s shows has shifted from journalists, buyers and veritable celebrities to influencers and fashion bloggers. This relative democratisation of the fashion world, in tandem with the rise of pre-loved and vintage designer clothing, has led to an increased demand for couture clothing across the board.
No matter which camp you belong to, if you’ve clicked through to this article – chances are you’re in the market for some exclusive autumn/winter 23/24 clothing. We’ve got you covered. Keep scrolling for some of the stand-out pieces from this year’s LFW designers which are available now.
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Chet Lo
Asian American designer Chet Lo graduated from his Central Saint Martins BA Knitwear course in 2020 and has been blazing a trail of spiky, stretchy and vintage-inspired knits ever since.
Endlessly fascinated by the overwhelming versatility of knitwear, Lo is constantly innovating, and his designs have been featured in Vogue, L’Officiel, Dazed and more. Dua Lipa, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Doja Cat, SZA and other game-changers have also been spotted in his designs.
Our top product pick: Maxi Spikes Long Skirt
Buy now £430.00, Koibird
Burberry
Tradition is firmly intertwined within Burberry’s DNA, yet that is exactly what Daniel Lee is shaking up at the house.
Burberry dropped its autumn/winter 2023 collection for buyers to browse, just weeks before the brand’s upcoming spring/summer 24 display. Fans of the iconic British fashion house are now able to gander at what Lee had to offer last season in the flesh, after the designer’s debut for the brand back in February.
Our top product pick: Kennington Trench Coat in Otter
Buy now £2690.00, Burberry
AllSaints
Hailing from Spitalfields, AllSaints was founded in 1994 by Peter Wood and has been producing iconic leather goods, silky dresses and high-end basics ever since. The brand saw the height of its fame in the early 2010s and seems to be back on track with the revival of all things early-to-mid 00s.
Our top product pick: Elle Lightweight Wide Leg Fit Trousers
Buy now £159.00, AllSaints
Susan Fang Beaded crochet minidress
If you’re looking to categorise Susan Fang into just one aesthetic box – don’t bother. The Chinese designer’s floral, frilly yet wonderfully gothic and textured collections are the culmination of a multitude of wonderful influences including mathematical formulas of repetition. This is contrasted against beautiful yet delicate chaos.
Our top product pick: Beaded crochet mini dress
Buy now £1510.00, MyTheresa
Richard Quinn Rose-print duchesse-satin coat
London-based designer Richard Quinn is arguably the kingpin of London Fashion Week. The house has become synonymous with sumptuous velvet, blooming florals and couture-meets-kink sensibilities. In 2018, Quinn was honoured by the late Queen Elizabeth, who sat front row of his show alongside Anna Wintour.
Our top product pick: Rose-print duchesse-satin coat
Buy now £2600.00, Matches
Ahluwalia Lagos belted Lyocell-twill and stretch-cotton jacket
Since launching in 2018, Priya Ahluwalia has pioneered sustainable menswear that merges athleisure and luxury fashion. Each season, the designer honours her dual heritage, both Indian and Nigerian through earthy colour palettes and cutting-edge textile techniques.
Our top product pick: Lagos belted Lyocell-twill and stretch-cotton jacket
Buy now £447.50, Net-A-Porter
Chopova Lowena Birds Everywhere printed recycled-blend mesh top
Design duo Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena have refined folkloric fashion with their kaleidoscopic collections. Fairytale prints, pleated tartans and nostalgic graphics fuse to form distinctive pieces. The brand champions sustainability through the use of deadstock material and has accumulated a glittering clientele led by Dua Lipa.
Our top product pick: Chopova Lowena Birds Everywhere printed recycled-blend mesh top
Buy now £195.00, Matches
Molly Goddard
Dopamine dressing is Molly Goddard’s M.O. The London-born-and-based designer reworks British heritage pieces into quirky must-haves, including Fairisle knits, tartan kilts, tweed suits and her iconic tulle frocks. Kitschy knits dominate her collections year-in-year-out, all crafted from joyously clashing colours to lift the spirits.
Our top product pick: Charlie Fair Isle Wool Sweater
Buy now £490.00, Net-A-Porter
16Arlington Solaria keyhole-neck sequinned-tulle dress
Party girls are 16Arlington’s poster girls. Helmed by Marco Capaldo and the late Federica ‘Kikka’ Cavenati who formed the brand in 2016, 16Arlington favours naughty over nice. The label injects sensuality into its Italian heritage, never failing to delight with mermaid-esque sequins, keyhole cut-outs and punkish accessories.
Our top product pick: Solaria keyhole-neck sequinned-tulle dress
Buy now £1290.00, Matches
Masha Popova
Billie Eilish, Bella Hadid and Kylie Jenner are just a handful of names who have backed Ukrainian brand Masha Popova. Cheeky Noughties designs brimming with raw-edge denim and butterflies lean into Gen-Z’s current captivation with all things Y2K. The highly wearable pieces link back to the designer’s childhood memories in Ukraine, adding a sentimental twist to the covetable collections.
Our top product pick: Flowers cut-out flared jeans
Buy now £485.00, Farfetch
Simone Rocha
Fashion darling Simone Rocha is known for pioneering punk-feminine collections beloved by It-girls FKA Twigs and Griff. Sculptural organza forms, blossom-like pastels and voluminous pearl accessories come to life in shows that exude gothic Rococo opulence.
Our top product pick: Bow-appliqué tulle midi dress
Buy now £2250.00, Matches
Yuhan Wang
Chinese designer Yuhan Wang launched her eponymous collection in 2018 to rave reviews from the fashion sphere. The brand is celebrated for its whimsical yet elegant approach to femininity, explored via its signature watercolour floral prints, jacquard satins and peek-a-boo lace detailing.
Our top product pick: Blue Printed Midi Dress
Buy now £740.00, SSENSE
Supriya Lele
Through her delicate, disarming designs, Supriya Lele examines her Indian heritage and British cultural identity. Awarded NEWGEN sponsorship from the British Fashion Council, Lele enticed spectators with her beautifully draped sheer designs, lingerie-inspired forms and warm tonal palettes that conjure up intimacy in its most elegant form.
Our top product pick: One-sleeve cropped georgette top
Buy now £356.00, The Outnet
David Koma
London-based fashion designer David Koma has vampiric fashion down to a fine art. The Tbilisi-born designer has become synonymous with body-contouring silhouettes that ooze sex appeal. Stars including Maya Jama flock to his shows, which merge modernistic silhouettes with classically romantic colour schemes.
Our top product pick: Crystal-embellished appliquéd patent-leather and wool-crepe mini dress
Buy now £1950.00, Net-A-Porter
Erdem
Each season Erdem will transport fashion week-goers to a fairytale garden fashionscape. Eccentric florals meet with poetic fabrics to craft passionate genderless collections. Founded in 2005 by designer Erdem Moralioglu MBE, the brand has forged a glittering reputation on the Brit-style scene.
Our top product pick: Floral-sequin asymmetric-skirt satin dress
Buy now £3295.00, Matches
JW Anderson
Ever-popular and ever-exciting, JW Anderson always has a trick up its bunny-clad sleeve. Jonathan Anderson’s eponymous brand is beloved for tongue-in-cheek motifs that cross-pollinate between womenswear and menswear. With an endless celebrity clientele, the brand is regularly spotted on the fashion sweethearts with an eye for playful prints.
Our top product pick: Intarsia-Knit Sweater
Buy now £510.00, Mr Porter
Roksanda
Sculpture is the core element of Roksanda’s collections. The brand holds women-centred designs close to its heart, which materialises in colourblock swathes, operatic silhouettes and architectural references. Gowns and cocktail numbers in paintbox pigments are the Serbian-born designer’s bread and butter.
Our top product pick: Gathered cotton-poplin midi dress
Buy now £547.25, Net-A-Porter
Di Petsa
Fluidity defines Di Petsa’s sensual collections that effortlessly drape the female form in water-like structures. Established in London in 2019 by Greek designer Dimitra Petsa, the house is actually evolving to explore the relationship between women and water. Contemporary goddess aesthetics adopt a futuristic twist at the hands of the designer.
Our top product pick: Undressing cowl-neck satin midi dress
Buy now £800.00, Selfridges
Bora Aksu
Founded in 2002, Bora Aksu has continued to bowl over with its whimsical decadence. Flurries of rose-petal structures, angelic silhouettes and ethereal elegance exemplify the brand’s house codes, formulated by the Turkish founder. Longline lace dresses, gentle puff sleeves and ghost-like, oversized cuts are reimagined for each hauntingly feminine collection.
Our top product pick: Puff Sleeve Constrasting Colour Ruffle Mesh Dress
Buy now £1763.49, Bora Aksu
KNWLS
For Central Saint Martins graduates Charlotte Knowles and Alexandre Arsenault, KNWLS is a channel through which the designers can voice their disruptive vision of femininity. Deconstructed designs, earthy tones and grunge colour palettes blend to create It-girl pieces adored by Dua Lipa, Mia Regan and Kendall Jenner. Ditsy prints, tiger stripes and molten graphics have all contributed to the brand’s cult status.
Our top product pick: Skinn Dress Bleach Plaid Blue
Buy now £220.00, KNWLS
