London Fashion Week 2024: A Showcase of British Talent
London’s Fashion Legacy
London, a spirited and scrappy birthplace of renowned designers, has long been associated with fashion’s cutting edge. Since its inaugural season in 1984, the British capital has nurtured and brought the world some of its most influential designers.
Names like Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, and John Galliano have all emerged from the vibrant fashion scene of London, giving birth to a legacy that continues to evolve and captivate the world.
London Fashion Week’s 40th Anniversary
London Fashion Week recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, and the excitement was palpable as the event showcased the budding British talent that will shape the future of the fashion industry.
With the spotlight on London, the event drew to a close on Tuesday after a week filled with creativity and groundbreaking designs.
Emerging British Designers
Onlookers at the Central Saint Martins Masters degree show were treated to a mesmerizing display of unconventional fashion. Jonathon Ferris, a Menswear design student, took inspiration from the movie “Being John Malkovich,” sending runway models out in identical masks resembling his own face.
Maximilian Raynor’s graduate collection featured a fallen angel with bells woven into his knitted wings, evoking a sense of awe and fantasy. Meanwhile, Harris Reed served whiskeys to the crowd at the Tate Britain, showcasing a collection inspired by 19th-century Victoriana and shadow puppets.
Nostalgia Meets Innovation
Nostalgia took center stage at London Fashion Week, with designers finding inspiration in the past and infusing it with modern elements. Conner Ives and Sinead Gorey, both Gen Z designers, showcased their innovative designs using relics of the Apple empire. Ives incorporated an iPod nano and wired headphones into his final look, while Gorey transformed iPod shuffles into unique hair clips.
Erdem, drawing inspiration from 20th-century American-Greek soprano Maria Callas, presented a collection oozing with antiquated elegance. Elbow gloves, cocktail dresses with theatrical scarf drapes, and opera wraps transported the audience to a bygone era of glamour.
A Celebration of Nostalgia
Johanna Anderson, a London Fashion Week veteran, celebrated the resurgence of nostalgia in fashion by styling models in silver permed wigs. Referencing a bygone era of British life, Anderson’s collection reflected a renewed fascination with the past. He remarked, “Suddenly a song from 50 years ago can become number one. And that’s exciting.”
British Fashion Legends Remembered
Burberry’s runway show paid tribute to the iconic Amy Winehouse, as the late singer’s voice echoed through the purpose-built tent in East London’s Victoria Park. Models, including Lily Cole and Agyness Deyn, graced the runway, evoking the fashion era of the 2000s.
The Western Wear Trend
London’s designers embraced the Western wear trend, showcasing a range of cowboy-inspired designs. Edward Crutchley presented various styles of cowboy hats, Stephen Jones’ millinery crafted some from woven Moroccan wall hangings, and Molly Goddard paired Western-themed shirts with her signature frothy tulle dresses.
Designer Daniel Lee incorporated the theme of the great outdoors into his third collection for Burberry, featuring an abundance of outerwear made from cozy fabrics, such as fleecy wool, shearling, and moleskin.
Faux Fur Takes the Runway
Faux fur emerged as a key textile on the London runways, with designers incorporating it into their collections in creative ways. Simone Rocha explored the mourning dress of Queen Victoria, featuring a myriad of fake fur designs. Coats, mittens, tulle capes, shoes, and even earrings featured faux fur, adding a touch of luxury and warmth to the garments.
Conner Ives and Precious Lee incorporated faux fur into their designs, with Ives utilizing fur shawls and Lee donning a luxurious furry hood. Sinead Gorey took a unique approach, adorning corsets and bras with Pomeranian-like tufts of dyed polyester fur.
Fashion Meets Function
Designers this season explored the merging of form and function, catering to those with a passion for the great outdoors. Johanna Parv crafted tops that can be stretched over a backpack, providing practicality for inner-city cyclists. Parv also designed an insulated mini-skirt specifically for bicyclists.
British heritage brand Burberry embraced the outdoors, featuring an array of thick, cozy outerwear made from fleecy wool, shearling, and moleskin. Irish designer Robyn Lynch collaborated with athleisure brand C.P. Company, incorporating upcycled outerwear and adding layers of knitwear to create unique silhouettes.
London Fashion Week 2024: Pushing Boundaries
London Fashion Week 2024 was a showcase of creativity, nostalgia, and innovation. Emerging British designers, inspired by the past, presented their captivating collections to the world. From the Western wear trend to the use of faux fur and the fusion of form and function, the event captivated the fashion world and solidified London’s position as a global fashion capital.
