London Fashion Week has just begun, and these are the trends insiders are most excited about

Masha Popova SS23

Credit: (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Fashion


London Fashion Week has just begun, and these are the trends insiders are most excited about

By Lauren Cunningham

2 years ago

5 min read

You most likely have all of these things in your wardrobe already.


Hot on the heels of New York Fashion Week – where Naomi Campbell’s eyebrow-raising PrettyLittleThing debut took centre stage – London seems ready and raring to go. Taking place from 14–19 September across the city, the packed schedule will see big British brands including Burberry, Erdem and Emilia Wickstead (to name but a few) sidle up alongside much smaller designers for five days of spring/summer 2024 fashion shows, presentations and events.

As part of ‘the big four’, which also includes New York, Milan and Paris, London is one of the most famous fashion cities in the world, with the first London Fashion Week (LFW) taking place in a car park in 1984. Since then, the event has come a long way, with glamorous venues, a star-studded guest list and key industry players now flocking to the city to see the country’s best creative talent. And it’s the clothing from these shows that soon trickles down into the high street, guiding our fashion taste and trends for the upcoming seasons.

What marks London out is its spotlight for new talent. In fact, the British Fashion Council’s (the organiser of LFW) NEWGEN programme is one of the best in the world, providing new designers with a platform to debut their wares while offering financial support and advice. This means LFW is always evolving, and in just one day you can expect to see a huge range of styles from a classic tailored trench coat to double-denim or daring dresses. So, getting a head start on what we can expect, Stylist sat down with a handful of both new and well-versed designers to see which trends they’re most excited about – and you probably already have most of them in your wardrobes. 

Pay close attention to colour

Masha Popova SS23

Credit: (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Colour, of course, plays a huge role in our wardrobes and really does shift depending on the seasons. While winter sees us pull on darker shades – blacks, blues and greys – summer is a time to experiment with bright and bold hues, and there seems to be a wide range of shades in store.

Edeline Lee, a Canadian British designer famous for feminine silhouettes and precisely cut pieces favoured by the likes of Helen Mirren, Taylor Swift, Cynthia Nixon and Solange Knowles, says saffron orange, turquoise and lime are the shades that will stand out. “Let colour be the focus and stick to simple shapes,” she suggests, adding that colour blocking can be the best way to do this as it’s “less fussy than a print and feels more modern”.

Ukrainian-born London-based designer Masha Popova, who is famous for daring denim designs worn by Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and Bella Hadid, makes a case for metallics. “Metallics add a touch of luxury and shimmer to any outfit, making the wearer stand out,” she explains, highlighting how a simple silver shoe can instantly elevate any look or a gold skirt can become the focal point of many people’s wardrobes. “In this collection, I have denim pieces covered in gold, silver and copper flock,” Popova adds, offering a small spoiler into her upcoming show and the oxidised copper technique she’s developed to create it.

Seconding the importance of high-shine and shimmer, Central Saint Martins graduate Susan Fang believes futuristic fashion will become more of a focal point. “With advancements in AI, technology and space exploration, the feeling of glow, light and magic is closer than ever,” Fang explained. “A touch of glitter can elevate any outfit, making it versatile and suitable for both daily wear and special occasions,” she added, detailing how diamantes and bubble crystals can transform any garment in an instant. All of which we almost certainly already have in our wardrobes. 

Fuss-free footwear

Susan Fang AW23

Credit: (Photo by Joe Maher/BFC/Getty Images)

Fashion week footwear may conjure up images of sky-high heels and statement boots, but ‘comfort is key’ seems to be the motto for many of these LFW designers. “Sandals are gaining popularity, rivalling sneakers for comfort and style. They effortlessly complement various outfits, whether they’re fluffy, embellished or patterned,” says Fang. And although we’re sad to see our trusty trainers be pushed aside, sandals certainly do offer a more elevated approach. Accentuating this shoe style, Fang adds that “sandals can function as subtle accessories for your feet, adding a touch of flair without overwhelming your look”, which is absolutely true when picking the right pair.

Following the sandal theme, Popova is making mules a key focus. “We all want an easy life and mules are easy to slip on,” shared the designer, adding how platform options can provide the height of a boot with the comfort of a wedge. “They’re perfect with dresses, skirts or cropped pants so you’re able to show them off,” she added, offering some simple styling tips too.

Take a look at layering

Edeline Lee AW23

Credit: (Photo by Matthew Horwood/BFC/Getty Images)

While trends may seem like an important factor to anyone in the fashion industry, Indian Nigerian designer Priya Ahluwalia steps away from stringent style rules, focusing instead on how people can make clothing their own. One key way to do this is layering, which seems to be another focal point for the fashion season, whether you treat it as a trend or are just playing around with your personal style.

Leaning into layering, Popova plays with shapes, focusing on flared sleeve tops that “can be paired with skinny jeans, pencil skirts or mini shorts to balance out the volume” or hoodie maxi dresses that combine comfort with classic silhouettes. Lee layers capes to add immediate structure to simplistic dress designs and plays with pleats to achieve more movement. Fang, meanwhile, turns to transparency, encouraging people to express their “sensitivity and openness” while mixing and matching different textures for a layered look. 

So, according to the experts, it seems like all three trends are easy to achieve with pieces we already own, and we’re already prepping our diamante bags, silver sandals and cosy knits for a summer season that’s simple to style. 

Images: Getty (David M. Benett; Joe Maher; Matthew Horwood); British Fashion Council

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