As summer draws to a close it can only mean one thing: London Fashion Week is just around the corner!
Whether you’re a fashion blogger, social media star or just a fan of designer togs, here’s everything you need to know.
What is London Fashion Week?
London Fashion Week (LFW) is a trade show for the fashion industry that takes place twice a year, usually in February and September. It’s arranged by the British Fashion Council. In February, designers showcase their autumn/winter collections. In September, spring/summer collections are shown.
When does the next London Fashion Week take place?
The next LFW takes place between the 15th and 19th of September 2017. Clothing from designers’ upcoming spring summer 2018 collections will be shown.
Where is it held?
London Fashion Week moved from Somerset House to The Store Studios on The Strand earlier this year. If you’re attending, you might need the address: BFC SHOW SPACE, The Store Studios, 180 Strand, London WC2R 1EA.
Who can attend?
According to the official LFW website, over 5,000 people attended February’s show at The Store Studios. The audience was composed of celebrities, fashion buyers, members of the press and digital influencers.
How can fashion bloggers and online influencers attend?
If you meet one or more of the following criteria, you can register for accreditation on the London Fashion Week website:
- INSTAGRAM: A minimum of 35,000 followers
- YOUTUBE: An average of 50,000 views per fashion-related video and a minimum of 80,000 subscribers
- BLOG: Over 15,000 monthly unique visitors
- ALL: Your blog must show that you’re interested in British fashion and support designers.
Applying does not mean you’ll automatically be accepted – thousands of bloggers apply each season and there simply isn’t enough space to accommodate everybody!
When should I apply for accreditation?
Due to the sheer number of fashion bloggers and influencers who apply, bloggers MUST register in advance. You cannot be accredited on the day. The British Fashion Council vet bloggers and influencers on a case-by-case basis in advance. This takes time, so it’s worth getting your application in as soon as possible! You can find the application form here.
Can I watch the catwalk shows without a ticket?
If you weren’t able to snag a ticket, don’t worry. You can watch the shows live on the London Fashion Week website. You can also watch highlights from previous shows on the British Fashion Council’s YouTube channel.
Who’s showing their collections this season?
A number of British-born designers or fashion houses with flagship stores in London will show their SS18 collections, including Jasper Conran, Markus Lupfer, Simone Rocha, House of Holland, Burberry, Anya Hindmarsh, Roland Mouret, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, Temperley London, Erdem, Pringle of Scotland, Shrimps, Christopher Kane, Emilia Wickstead, Topshop, Joseph and Julien McDonald.
Some overseas designers with a big presence in the UK will show their new season collections too, such as Tommy Hilfiger and Emporio Armani.
To view the full London Fashion Week Schedule for September’s show, click here.
Rochelle Humes, Whitney Port and Michelle Keegan joined Millie and Ella Eyre at London Fashion Week
Which celebrities will attend in September?
London Fashion Week always draws a solid crowd of celebrity supporters. It’s not yet known who’ll attend in September, but celebrities who graced the front row at the AW17 show back in February included Kendall Jenner, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Thandie Newton, Olivia Palermo, Alexa Chung, the Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid, Adwoa Aboah, Jourdan Dunn, Samantha Cameron, Binky Falstead, Laura Whitmore, Ella Eyre, Charli XCX and Naomi Campbell.
Are celebrities paid to attend?
It’s true that some A-list celebrities are paid to attend Fashion Week shows, yes. Some are given free tickets in exchange for a bounty of clothing. (If you’d like to read more on this, there’s a great article on the subject here.)
What’s the London Fashion Week Festival?
The LFWF is an event that takes place at the LFW venue, The Store Studios on The Strand (address above if you need it). It takes place twice a year after Fashion Week. It’s open to the wider public and aimed at those who don’t work in fashion but who have an interest in the topic.
The Festival is an immersive fashion experience that allows attendees to see models showcasing current season collections on the catwalk, shop designer collections for the new season, listen to industry insiders talk about the world of fashion and enjoy pampering sessions from top beauty professionals.
This season, LFWF runs from the 21st until the 24th of September.
