London Fashion Week
London Fashion Week stands alongside New York, Milan and Paris as part of the "Big Four" fashion weeks making up fashion month. It is the second fashion week taking place during fashion month, following New York and preceding Milan and Paris. London Fashion Week is the newest of the four — its first edition was organized in February 1984 by the British Fashion Council for the London Development Agency, held at the Commonwealth Institute's car park in Kensington.
London Fashion Week hosts spring collections shows in September, while fall collections are historically shown in February.
The city's fashion week was bolstered in 1985 when Princess Diana held a reception for various designers at Lancaster House.
In 1993, the British Fashion Council established the Newgen program, which helped support emerging designers. Newgen offers designers financial support, showcasing opportunities and mentoring to develop critical skills to help designers future-proof their businesses.
London Fashion Week has been through several venue changes, including Somerset House, Soho's Brewer Street and The Store Studios on The Strand, though many shows take place offsite at venues like Tate Modern and Royal Courts of Justice.
London's fashion scene was influenced early on from the city's clubs and counterculture — that vibe carries through to today, as many young, edgy designers show during London Fashion Week.
The city is known for classic British designs, including from Burberry. In recent years, eyes are also on Jonathan Anderson and his J.W. Anderson label, as well as Charles Jeffrey's Loverboy.
London Fashion Week has hosted its share of memorable moments, including Naomi Campbell walking topless for Philip Treacy in 1993; Spice Girl Mel B walking for Julien Macdonald in 1999; and Shalom Harlow twirling while robots spray painted her dress at Alexander McQueen's 1999 show.
London Fashion Week
Julien Macdonald Fall 2026: The Sun Never Sets
The designer returned to the runway after a three-year hiatus and brought a blast of holiday warmth and…
Chet Lo Fall 2026: A Collective Effort
By bringing Hong Kong's night market concept to the Mandarin Oriental ballroom, Lo found purpose, community…
Mithridate Fall 2026: Journey Upstream
Daniel Fletcher anchored the collection on the Chinese wisteria brought from Mithridate's hometown Guangzhou…
Labrum London Fall 2026: Joy to the World
Foday Dumbuya set out to show how textiles bind different cultures and continents together, but he did so…
Sinead Gorey Fall 2026: Bar Belles
The lineup read like a fresh spin on Spice Girl-era girl power, no thrifting needed.
Natasha Zinko Fall 2026: No Place Like Home
Mel B of the Spice Girls bounced down the runway in fur-covered heels and a short plaid bathrobe with a…
A Letter Fall 2026: It Starts With Paper
The emerging British brand explored fragility through garments fashioned out of whisper-thin sheets of paper.
Huishan Zhang Fall 2026: What Recession?
Not doing a show gave the designer more time to play with couture-level techniques and experiment with new…
Phoebe English Fall 2026: Beauty in All Seasons
The designer reworked scraps from bridal brands and shops into a poetic evocation of nature's beauty all year…
Mel B Closes the Natasha Zinko Fall 2026 Show in Furry Dog Shoes
She walked the runway in a sleepwear-inspired look.
Harris Reed Fall 2026: Right Up His Aisle
The designer went down a maximalist route but also detoured into approachable takes on his silhouettes and a…
Topshop Collaborates With London Fashion Week Designer Tolu Coker
King Charles III got a first look at the collection.
Tolu Coker Fall 2026: Fit for a King, and the Community
King Charles III showed up to support Tolu Coker's latest show, which celebrated community and Britain's…
Patrick McDowell Fall 2026: Gazing on George
The designer's more pragmatic point of view shows great promise for what kind of space the brand can take up…
Nicky Hilton Rothschild Beams in Annie’s Ibiza Moonshine Cape Dress
The mogul attended the Annie's Ibiza show during London Fashion Week on Thursday.