The 68th London Fashion Week is upon us! This £32 billion industry is at the forefront of fashion and is an integral part of London’s makeup. As celebs, models, designers, journalists, and fans take over the city we look at the must-see designers for London Fashion Week.
Jenny Packham
Jenny Packham
Jenny Packham has been at the forefront of wedding design since 1988. She has been responsible for several revolutions in the bridal industry introducing contemporary styling and design to several collections including ready-to-wear, resort, accessories and lingerie.
As one of the UK’s most successful independent fashion brands, Packham is always eagerly anticipated at fashion shows with this landmark event no different. Packham has flagship stores in London, Paris and New York as well as collaborative collections with some of the most discerning labels including Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, Harrods, Net-A-Porter, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.
Packham’s longevity has seen her dress some of the most iconic celebrities such as Uma Thurman, Kate Winslet, Taylor Swift, Angelina Jolie, Emily Blunt and of course The Duchess of Cambridge.
This year marks Packham’s 30th year in the fashion industry and her show is not to be missed.
Michael Halpern
Michael Halpern
Michael Halpern is a maverick who rides the line between what his critics call ‘tacky’ and his fans call ‘fabulous’. His glamorous aesthetic is the foundation for his brand’s quintessential mini dresses, flared trousers, jumpsuits and bustiers. “I always reference over-the-top glamour and juxtapose that with classic bustiers and draping that recalls Charles James, Lacroix, Christian Dior.”
There is little wonder he draws on what Vogue call ‘good/bad taste doublethink’ with his pedigree not just from one but two prestigious alma maters. With both New York’s Parsons Art and Design School and London Central Saint Martin’s behind him he has found a niche all his own with one foot in loud American glamour and the other in couture fashion.
Such is Halpern’s standing in the industry that he has consulted on the Atelier Versace collection and had his own collections bought by the likes of Browns, Bergdorf Goodman, Matches, Maxfield, 4510 and The Webster and Jeffrey.
His brazen, hyper-feminine collections are not to be missed.
Richard Quinn
Richard Quinn
Richard Quinn is a London-born designer who first burst onto the scene in 2016. Fresh off the back of a Fashion MA from the illustrious Central Saint Martins, his rise has been quick even by fashion standards.
The Lewisham native’s debut show was a hit with the Queen in attendance to award him the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. Since then the wunderkind has dressed the likes of Amal Clooney at the 2018 Met Gala and Thandie Newton at the 2018 Baftas.
His bold and emotive creations are borne out of his unassuming art studio hidden away in a railway arch in Peckham. From here he has worked with celebs, offers students and young designers a space to print their own work and conspires with the likes of Debenhams and Liberty to create high-end fashion that actually ends up on the High Street.
Quinn’s blending of high-end and the everyday make him a unique designer with a clear understanding of how concepts end up as everyday fashion. Be sure to keep an eye out for this unique artist’s collection.
Alexa Chung
Alexa Chung
Alexa Chung’s eponymous brand was launched in May of last year following her meteoric rise as a fashion guru on social media. With an advanced contemporary design, this prolific designer produces four seasonal collections a year ensuring her fans have a wealth of items to fawn over.
ALEXACHUNG challenges established rules on proportion, silhouette and design with everything from evening-wear to daywear, jewellery, denim and shoes. Chung is a London local and her show is sure to draw a huge audience.
Chung’s vision is to create clothes that people want to wear. Her designs are a combination of Parisian chic, New York edge and the British sense of humour making for a truly global design aesthetic.
Chung is not to be missed this year as she completes her metamorphosis from internet darling to fashion royalty.
Matty Bovan
Matty Bovan is another alum of the highly-regarded Central Saint Martins with an MA specialising in Fashion Knitwear. His raw and sometimes brutal knitted pieces push the boundaries of design with colours, textures, ridges, spines, fins and ‘off’ angles creating harmonious dissonance.
Bovan’s first solo show came this February after working with the famed Fashion East collective for the past three years. He made waves with fluorescent touches, patterns and sequin shreds. Fans were also excited to see Bovan collaborate with Coach on a series of stunning bags covered in pearls, paint and glitter.
This cutting-edge designer has been described as “normcore’s enemy’ and “vogueish vandalism’s friend”. He constantly blurs the line between art and fashion and this year looks no different.
With names like these along with well-established labels like Burberry and Riccardo Tisci, this London Fashion Week is sure to be a watershed moment. This gravity is punctuated by the LFW’s decision to ban animal furs, making it the first fashion week to ever take a stance on the use of furs. Don’t miss this incredible event as it’s designs are sure to be felt for years to come in everything from clothing to branding. Contact us today for more design insights or if you are looking for the team to make your brand catwalk ready.