Your LFW cheat sheet
Sound the klaxon, London Fashion Week is officially upon us. Running from Friday 16th to Tuesday 20th September, we’ll be bringing you all the news as it happens But before it all kicks off, these are the talking points you need to know about...
You can shop the Topshop collection straight after the show With big name models walking the catwalk, and even bigger name celebs watching from the front row, Topshop Unique is one of the starriest shows in London. Following in Tom Ford and Tommy Hilfiger’s AW16 shoes, the mega-brand announced its new runway-to-retail initiative last month; meaning you'll be able to buy pieces from the spring/summer 2017 collection online and in selected stores immediately after the show finale, on Sunday September 18th.
Heading east this season, the brand will show in the historic Old Spitalfields Market. A pop-up stall selling the collection - very befitting of the storied new venue - will open to the public after the show.
Versus Versace will show sans Anthony Vaccarello
Versus Versace (Donatella Versace’s diffusion line) remains on the London schedule this season, but it will be without the leadership of Anthony Vaccarello following his appointment as Hedi Slimane’s successor at YSL. Vaccarello’s replacement is yet to be announced, but with an alumna that includes Christopher Kane and J.W.Anderson, expectations are high.
London's rising stars Molly Goddard, Teatum Jones and Huishan Zhang are the ones-to-watch this season, as each presents their stand-alone debut catwalk show. Matty Bovan is the other name on everyone's lips since his addition to the Fashion East line-up of Richard Malone, Mimi Wade and AV Robertson.
Image: Instagram/camillaelphick
Boden and the BFC launch a talent incubator Boden and the British Fashion Council launched a joint initiative called Future British earlier this year to nurture emerging British design talent. This season's winners include Arthur Yates of Bruta, Samantha McCoach of Le Kilt, Alice Ashby of Blake LDN, Caitlin Charles-Jones and quirky cordwainer, Camilla Elphick.
Image: Instagram/paulakn.r Topshop's new protégé Topshop's long-standing mentorship programme NEWGEN champions German designer Paula Knorr this season. With past NEWGEN success stories including Simone Rocha, Christopher Kane and Jonathan Saunders, Knorr's star is set to rise quickly after her Saturday morning presentation.
Burberry moves home
It's not just Topshop who's moved venue this season - Burberry has decamped from it's iconic Kensington Gardens base and will stage a see-now-buy-now show in Soho’s Makers House instead.
Christopher Kane celebrates his 10 year anniversary
London's golden boy Christopher Kane was catapulted to sartorial stardom after his debut collection of bandage dresses — showcased in 2006 — garnered huge critical acclaim. It's hard to believe it's been a whole decade since he was tipped as the one-to-watch; all eyes will be on his SS17 collection, which is sure to be spectacular.
