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
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The label will stream performances by three new British acts over Periscope ahead of its show on Saturday.
Eudon Choi RTW Spring 2016
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J. JS Lee RTW Spring 2016
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Designer takes up challenge of creating a collection in an hour.
London Fashion Week: Ones to Watch for Spring
Emerging designers catching some buzz in the British capital.
London: Buzzy Bars, Restaurants, Exhibitions and More
Eat, drink, shop, see — new hot spots to check out off-hours during London Fashion Week.
London Shows Increasingly Cater to End Consumer
The British Fashion Council will live-stream shows outdoors, as designers speak — and sell — directly to the…
Topshop Launches Pinterest Palettes
The project creates a custom color palette with shoppers' Pinterest boards.
David Collins Studio Designs London’s Showrooms
Interior design firm is working with the BFC on the car park venue.
BBC iPlayer to Launch London Fashion Week Shows Presented by Abbey Clancy, Lianne La Havas
The shows will air on the streaming service from Sept. 27.
Julien Macdonald to Launch Men’s Line During London Fashion Week
The designer is making his foray into menswear.