London Fashion Week is THE leading fashion event, allowing designers from the UK and beyond to showcase their talent on a world stage. This weekend’s event may be taking on a very different format this year but still stands to be as innovative and exciting as ever. 

Here’s our pick of things to look out for ✌️

It’s Digital (Again)

Due to Covid-19, the 5,000 or so people that would usually be running around London Fashion Week going from show to show are once again stuck at home. The good news is that instead of needing a coveted invite, we can all get involved from the comfort of our sofas. With London Fashion Week adopting a Covid-considerate format, all of the designers’ collections can be accessed through the LFW hub. 

The change in format has also led to designers being more experimental in the way they display their latest designs. Look out for those designers subverting the traditional runway and instead producing digital lookbooks, short videos and even cartoons to display their work. 

We are looking forward to tuning in and dressing up or down for the occasion - that’s the beauty of being at home! 

Harris Reed’s Debut

Yes, the icon responsible for putting Harry Styles in a dress for American Vogue (we forever stan) will debut their first collection this year. After graduating from Central Saint Martins last year, Reed has gained a reputation for fluid self-expression and effortless elegance. Their six piece demi-couture collection, complete with artisanal headpieces, already feels like a Fashion Week standout. 

Gender Fluidity

History is being made this year after the British Fashion Council’s move to make LFW gender neutral. Applause please!! 👏

This means that instead of seeing the traditional ‘womenswear’ and ‘menswear’ collections we can expect designs that are a mix of both (and everything in between) all walking down the catwalk together. It’s a huge celebration of fashion being about creativity and expression without boundaries! 

Focus on Sustainability

The official London Fashion Week website has a dedicated section just for positive fashion. This hub offers a wide range of media focused on the work designers both old and new are doing to ensure their clothes are sustainable and ethical.

Luna Del Pinal

Highlights include a video from Luna Del Pinal who dive into making their own textiles, empowering female workers and being socially inclusive of marginalised communities. Designed in London and produced in Guatemala, they have developed their own fabric made from recycled rubber and yarn. They practice the belief that better choices make for a better world, and we couldn’t agree more! 🌎

Olubiyi Thomas

Lagos-born, Glasgow-raised and London-based Olubiyi Thomas also discusses the new collection ‘Salvage’. For this collection, they collaborated with a local weaver to repurpose their offcuts and scraps into new fabrics. Another influence on this collection was the impact Covid has had on the fashion industry. The name ‘Salvage’ aims to evoke the feeling of surviving against the current odds and to recover and reclaim what remains. We already can’t wait to see what the garments look like! 

Sonia Carrasco

There is also a feature on sustainable label Sonia Carrasco who draws upon natural elements and juxtaposes them with masculine tailoring. Made with traditional techniques using only recycled, vegan and organic materials, Carrasco’s strong shapes empower women all over the world. To get ready, check out the stunning video for her Spring/Summer 21 show here. 

Also, don’t forget to watch the collections for sustainable design heroes such as Marquis Almeida, Lueder, Danshan and Ahluwalia - you can find the full digital schedule for London Fashion Week here.

The Added Extras

If you were worried that replacing the real life shows with video streams takes away some of the atmosphere, think again. 

Tune into the BFC Fashion Forum podcast for discussions on sustainability in fashion and how the industry can be a positive force of change. The first episode of this season features Stella McCartney who discusses her influences, her family and technology.

There are also curated playlists from the brands to really get you in the fashion week experience! 

We can’t wait to share our thoughts and find out what you think of LFW. Share with Nuw on Instagram @wearenuw!