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
Simone Rocha Spring 2026: ‘Disgruntled Debutante’
The designer let go of dark romance to explore a young, frisky and slyly sultry style.
Kent & Curwen Spring 2026: Hyde Park and Recreation
Daniel Kearns offered a light and upbeat collection inspired by everything that's happening in the idyllic…
Aaron Esh Spring 2026: Small Circle, Tight Designs
Burberry's former CEO Jonathan Akeroyd was sitting front row and Phoebe Philo's daughter Maya Wigram walked…
Emerging London Brand Derrick Reimagines Richard James
Derrick reworked some of the Savile Row tailor's heritage pieces to create a capsule featuring punchy prints…
Ashley Williams Spring 2026: Uniforms for Utopia
The London designer dressed everyday people — factory workers, housekeepers and nurses — living life to the…
Natasha Zinko Spring 2026: Hungover and Hot
At her Friday evening show, Natasha Zinko showed that she knows how to keep the party going.
Yuhan Wang Spring 2026: Mulholland Drive Analyzed
The aerial shot of Los Angeles at night, a scene reflecting Naomi Watts' character Betty Elms' ambition for a…
Daniel Kearns Talks Kent & Curwen Retail Expansion, Centenary Celebration
Under the Chinese owner Biemlofen, the brand is opening 10 more stores in the next six months, nearly…
Roksanda Spring 2026: Shape Shifting
The simpler silhouettes shone the brightest in this collection that took place in the vast ballroom of the…
Stephen Jones Rides a Rainbow Into Spring With Hats for Every Hour
Jones looked at the sky, from dawn to nightfall, and channeled the light and starlit sky into a collection…
Richard Quinn Spring 2026: ‘The Grandeur of Occasion Dressing’
The designer stuck to his signature demure glamour of yesteryear, which falls somewhere between Victorian…
Saweetie Puts the Black Slingback Pump in Play at London Fashion Week’s EE72 Launch
The rapper's pointed silhouette slotted neatly into the slingback revival.
Chopova Lowena Spring 2026: Emo Girl’s Courtside Moment
The texture collages, color combinations and dangling metal and plastic embellishments were…
Fashion East Spring 2026: Less Is More
The season's three designers showed off minimalist looks with frayed edges, sheer textures and a handmade…
Di Petsa Spring 2026: A Love Letter to Greece
The Greek designer had her own go at tourist merchandise with charming white T-shirts and dresses that said…