Our Favourites Round-Up From LFW
London Fashion Week's SS25 was a standout. We've seen some amazing shows before, but this season was particularly memorable, with highlights like JW Anderson's takeover of Old Billingsgate along the Thames, Daniel Lee's presentation for Burberry at the National Theatre, and Mowalola’s extravagant catwalk show that transformed into a personal concert.
In addition to these blockbuster events, there were also smaller yet equally impressive showcases, like Jawara Alleyne’s tribute to the Cayman Islands and Paolo Carzana’s heartfelt, emotional show held in his own backyard. Meanwhile, Chopova Lowena brought a taste of the Wild West to East London, KNWLS was inspired by the ghosts of fashion history, Aaron Esh embodied a sleek and edgy vibe, and the Fashion East runway saw an intriguing clash of fetish and faux fur. For everything else you might have missed, continue scrolling for the highlights from London Fashion Week SS25.
A Pre-Loved Fashion Week
Designers in London truly excel at pushing boundaries. This year, however, Fashion Week had a unique vibe. London Fashion Week commenced in the capital showcasing garments that may have been secondhand but felt distinctly contemporary for 2024.
In an event space nestled beneath a railway arch in Shoreditch, eBay collaborated with the British Fashion Council (BFC) to present a runway show featuring designs from prominent British designers spanning different decades, celebrating London Fashion Week's 40th anniversary. The event was titled 'Endless Runway.'
As trains thundered overhead, standout pieces like a punk-inspired deconstructed kilt from the trendy London-based brand Chopova Lowena, along with creations from other exciting contemporary designers such as Martine Rose, Grace Wales Bonner, and Simone Rocha, blended effortlessly with archival fashion, including an Alexander McQueen trouser suit from 2003 and items from high-street brands.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the capital, Oxfam, in partnership with secondhand resale app Vinted, organised its own fashion show. Named ‘Style for Change’, it featured a lineup of personalities from stage, screen, and the sustainable fashion realm, including Sex Education actor George Robinson, Dragons’ Den investor Deborah Meaden, actor Robert Sheehan, and activist fashion designer Katharine Hamnett.
This show marks the fourth time the nonprofit has participated in London Fashion Week. However, while secondhand fashion was previously viewed as an outlier in some circles, we are now witnessing a significant transformation in how it is perceived. This shift is long overdue. Furthermore, you can even shop the catwalk’s looks on Oxfam’s Vinted account. Imagine being able to buy a piece you’ve seen on LFW catwalk for less than £100. Now you can.
Notably, this is the first time two London Fashion Week shows, scheduled in the main lineup, have focused exclusively on preloved clothing, making it a landmark moment for circular fashion. And as vintage lovers, we couldn’t be happier. Who said that second-hand clothing has to look dated?
Scarlet Destiny at LFW
At Scarlet Destiny, we always strive to engage in everything we can during London Fashion Week, as the city is filled with positive energy this time of year. We are irresistibly drawn to it and feel compelled to participate.
Recently, we attended Vin + Omi’s SS25 show and were truly impressed by these Award-Winning eco designers. Drawing inspiration from Vivienne Westwood’s political fashion statements and blending it with a contemporary punk flair, Vin + Omi’s runways are always lively and playful, featuring models who skip, dance, and twirl down the catwalk. However, during the brand's 20th anniversary show, they made a stylish political statement.
Models strutted down the catwalk carrying protest signs that bore “NO WAR,” “PEACE,” and “LOVE ALWAYS WINS”.While Prue Leith's daring fashion choice dominated headlines, other celebrities at the Vin + Omi show used the platform to make a statement. Figures like Eve Ferret, known for their comedic activism, held up signs with slightly more humorous messages, such as "ANTI-WAR MILFS." These signs, while playful, still carried a serious underlying message about important social and political issues, demonstrating the show's diverse range of expressions and its ability to serve as a platform for both fashion and activism.
We also had the opportunity to visit British designer Christopher Raeburn’s exhibition during fashion week. Renowned for his role as a pioneer in advocating for responsible fashion design, Raeburn, who was appointed global creative director of Napapijri last November, showcased his work to date with this exhibition.
Curated by visual storyteller Harris Elliott, the exhibition took place at Raeburn’s The Lab E20 and showcased archival pieces alongside numerous items that had never been publicly displayed before. The event kicked off with a private preview on September 14th, after which it opened to the public from September 15 to 17.
[info sourced on theguardian.com, dazeddigital.com, bustle.com and fashionunited.com]