Amongst the strategic changes introduced for this season are the waiving of show fees for designer members showing physically on the main schedule and a doubling of investment in the LFW guest programme, supported by the department for business and trade, to welcome an expanded cohort of international press, cultural commentators and buyers to London.
The British Fashion Council announced the London Fashion Week schedule for September 18-22, featuring an 18 per cent increase in participating designers and a strong focus on cultural relevance and global competitiveness.
Key highlights include waived show fees for designers, and the highly anticipated return of iconic brands like Burberry, Roksanda, and JW Anderson.
The schedule reflects a designer-first approach: ambitious, purposeful and rooted in the creative energy that defines the city, the BFC said on its website.
London icons Burberry, Erdem, Emilia Wickstead, Simone Rocha and Roksanda return to schedule, with Roksanda celebrating the brand’s 20th year, alongside long-standing talent incubator Fashion East, which marks its 25th anniversary. This season, JW Anderson will host a special evening event in collaboration with the BFC to celebrate the brand’s relaunch.
BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund winner Conner Ives will show this September, alongside cult label Chopova Lowna who will return to the LFW schedule. The line-up also includes; Ahluwalia, Harris Reed, Labrum London, Marques’ Almeida, Paolo Carzana, Patrick Mcdowell, Richard Quinn, Talia Byre and Tove.
BFC NEWGEN designers to showcase physically and digitally include Aaron Esh, Aletta, Charlie Constantinou, Ewusie, Johanna Parv, Karoline Vitto, Kazna Asker, Liza Keane, Louther, Lueder, Octi, Oscar Ouyang, Pauline Dujancourt, Steve O Smith, Tolu Coker, The Ouze, The Winter House and Yaku.
Bridging culture and commerce, LFW will also feature retail-led activations, with stylist Harry Lambert launching a Disney X Zara collection at Selfridges, and H&M which is returning to the schedule with ‘The London Issue’ catwalk.
In a significant moment of cultural exchange, celebrated Indian designer Anamika KHANNA will make her LFW debut, reflecting the BFC’s new commitment to international collaboration and hosting global talent. Other catwalk debuts include Dreaming Eli, Kseniaschnaider and Rory William Docherty. Kyle HO, Lucila Safdie and adaptive fashion brand Unhidden will also make debuts this season with standalone presentations.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)
