As one of the four major fashion capitals of the world, it's no secret that London is a stylish city, but it's never more stylish than during London Fashion Week. Twice a year, for a short week in both February and September, it plays host to an array of style superstars who convene in the capital to see the buzziest British-based brands showcase their upcoming collections for next season.
Amongst those in attendance, you'll find models walking the shows, celebrities adorning the coveted front row, PRs and fashion students running around behind the scenes and, of course, editors – the Cosmo team included – reporting on the next must-have trends.
Beyond all the important designer runway shows, there are tonnes of pop-ups, events and parties going on to celebrate. From the names to know and places to go, to the clothes to wear, here's our insider's guide to doing London Fashion Week like a Cosmo editor, no matter which camp you fall into.
The names to know
With more than 100 designers regularly on schedule each season, spanning menswear, womenswear and accessories, you'd be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed by all the names. Heavy-hitters like Burberry, Simone Rocha and Richard Quinn are all stalwarts of LFW and your best bet for a celebrity runway cameo or two, if previous seasons are anything to go by. However, we'd argue London is all about the hot new up-and-comers. The city is best known for introducing the world to boundary-breaking creatives, after all.
Tolu Coker drew a particularly A-list attendance with none other than King Charles sitting front row for the British-Nigerian designer's latest collection showing on day one of proceedings. Meanwhile, Completedworks – who regularly entices a Hollywood name to star in their immersive, theatrical presentations – this season called upon Girls star, Jemima Kirke, to take on the role of Régine McQueen, a lifestyle guru in the middle of filming her own talk show while dripping in the brand's jewels as well as Asics Gel-Kayano 20 trainers from the upcoming limited editon collaboration.
This season also marked a return to the schedule for a number of names. Amongst them, Julien Macdonald, with the legendary designer hosting the comeback of all comebacks with his glitzy show atop the Shard, and Joseph, who headed to the Tate Modern. In fact, the Tate museums played just as much of a central character this season, with Mithridate showing at the Tate Britain and Erdem following suit just two days later.
Everyone's clicking on...
What to wear
Dressing for London Fashion Week is always tricky, even for us seasoned pros. You want to look stylish, but not like you've tried too hard. You want to nail the hottest trends, without going broke in the process. And most importantly, you *have* to be comfortable.
As tempting as it might be to put on your most fabulous heels for the occasion, if you're going to be doing back-to-back shows for 12 hours straight, you'll need to still be able to walk by the end... We recommend sticking to flats for the daytime, with endless boots trends to choose from RN, you won't have to compromise on looking cool in the process.
As for the clothes, don't just blindly follow the latest trends without thinking about what you actually feel comfortable in – being true to your own style and feeling confident are much more important than box-ticking. It's mostly influencers, celebs and street style stars who go full peacock mode for Fashion Week, while editors and industry insiders tend to dress a little more low-key. Think oversized tailoring, quality jeans and classic tees elevated with designer sunnies, fun bags, great coats and statement jewellery.
The places to go
Where were the team this season? All over, but we particularly loved these spots...
180 Strand
The past few seasons have seen the main show space anchored right on the bustling Strand in Central London. Plenty of people rock up without tickets just to stand outside and people watch, or snap a few outfit inspo pics. Expect to see lots of wild outfits, gaggles of paparazzi, and likely-frazzled PRs working the door in all black.
This season, Blank Street set up shop within the show space, meaning a matcha became our constant accessory as well as keeping us hydrated throughout the busy days. LFW also saw the coffee chain make its first foray into the fashion world with the launch of ‘The Sleeve.’ Inspired by the growing trend of turning everyday utilities into fashionable accessories, the puffy cup holder is compatible with all Blank Street drinks and is designed to stop hands from getting hot or cold, depending on your beverage of choice.
Farmer J
While there's no shortage of places to refuel during LFW, the team's preferred destination of choice is unanimously the sustainable food spot Farmer J. With multiple locations dotted around the city, it's ideal for grabbing a quick bite between shows on the go, catering to every dietary requirement going. From light, refreshing salads to their famous fieldtrays, we dare you not to get addicted – especially to the decadent mac 'n cheese.
How to travel
As much as we love London's public transport, it's not exactly the most reliable nowadays (hello, endless strikes!) – and don't even get us started on the weather's habit of serving us wind and rain when we least expect it. So, for editors with a packed schedule of shows and events that are often dotted across the capital, a private car is an absolute must. Plus, nothing quite beats the glamour of rolling up to a venue in a top-of-the-range, shiny new chauffeur-driven car...
Which is why Cosmo editors rely on Blacklane to get them reliably from venue to venue stress-free, and in serious style.
The door-to-door premium chauffeur service is easily bookable through an app for as many hours as you need, which can then be extended on the go should your schedule change at the last minute. With a fleet of top-end Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW cars at its disposal and complete with smartly suited drivers who take even the most hectic LFW schedules in their stride, all rides are carbon offset so you can travel guilt-free.
Blacklane operates in all major world cities, so they're a sure-fire saviour for Milan, New York and Paris Fashion Weeks too, not to mention airport transfers. Consider this the chicest accessory for a successful fashion week.
Editors' tips
To ensure a fun and fuss-free London Fashion Week, make sure to check out our team's final few top tips below.
- A portable charger is a must-have in your rented designer bag. You'll be surprised just how quickly your battery dwindles down to nothing after snapping away and filming just one or two shows.
- Tempting as it might be to subsist on pre-show canapés and cocktails alone, we recommend making time to have a proper meal whenever there's a break in your schedule. As a worst-case scenario, stock up your car and/or bag with drinks and snacks. Staying well-fed and hydrated is essential.
- A sure-fire way to feel instantly put-together and camera-ready is to treat yourself to a blow-dry and manicure right before LFW kicks off. Plus, it's one less thing to think about when you're getting ready during one of the busiest weeks of the year.
- It might not be chic, but always make sure you have a brolly and sunglasses. The Great British weather is unpredictable at best, and this way you'll be prepared for rain or shine.
- Shows almost always run late, but it's best to make sure you arrive and are seated at the scheduled start time. Make the most of delays by chatting to those around you – for those who have worked in the industry for a while, it's a nice opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues. And, if you don't know your show neighbour, it could be the perfect networking moment.
