London Fashion Week SS25: A Celebration of British Style and Innovation ✨👗
As London Fashion Week (LFW) closed, it's clear that the British capital continues to be a hotbed of creativity and innovation in the fashion world. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, this season's showcase brought together established names and emerging talents, offering a diverse and exciting glimpse into the future of fashion.
The FROW Scene
London Fashion Week SS25 once again proved why it's a magnet for the fashion elite and A-list celebrities. The front rows were buzzing with energy, showcasing a mix of established stars and rising influencers.
Star-Studded Sightings
AJ Odudu made waves at the Harris Reed show, stunning in one of the designer's signature corseted looks. Clara Amfo and ZeZe Mills brought their effortless style to the Ahluwalia presentation, supporting the designer's exploration of "home". Pixie Geldof and Erin O'Connor were spotted at multiple shows, including Burberry, adding their seasoned fashion expertise to the front rows.
Simone Ashley and Naomie Harris brought Hollywood glamour to the Giorgio Armani x Kith dinner, with Harris opting for sleek Armani tailoring. Jameela Jamil used her platform to champion emerging designers, while body positivity advocate Stephanie Yeboah made an appearance at the Karoline Vitto show.
Music Meets Fashion
The music industry was well-represented, with Normani turning heads at the H&M x Charli XCX party. Leigh-Anne Pinnock showed her support for new talent, attending both the Masha Popova and Fashion East shows. Mahalia made multiple appearances, including at Chet Lo and Ahluwalia, showcasing her versatile style. Jodie Turner-Smith and Jourdan Dunn brought their supermodel presence to the Burberry show, cementing the brand's star power.
Established Names Push Boundaries
Simone Rocha returned to the Old Bailey for her SS25 show, drawing inspiration from choreographers Pina Bausch and Michael Clark. The collection featured Rocha's signature tulle gowns, this time resembling ballet tutus, stuffed with carnations as a nod to Bausch's work. A standout addition was crystal-embellished denim, showcasing Rocha's evolving skillset. The show's soundtrack mashed together sounds of "screaming, crying, laughing, dying, flirting," creating a sensory experience that complemented the visual drama of the collection.
Burberry, under the creative direction of Daniel Lee, presented its fourth collection at the National Theatre. The SS25 collection marked a return to a more characteristic approach for the label, featuring the brand's iconic plaid and trench coats. Lee aimed to capture "a feeling of lightness and summertime," with khaki coats punctuated by pale feathering and sequin-adorned dresses.
JW Anderson once again proved his innovative prowess with a collection that explored gender fluidity and the fleeting nature of summer. Showcased in the minimalist setting of the Roundhouse, Anderson's unexpected silhouettes and unconventional material choices challenged traditional notions of seasonal dressing.
Erdem presented a collection inspired by the 1928 novel "The Well of Loneliness" and its author, Radclyffe Hall. The designs blended masculine and feminine elements, challenging traditional gender norms in fashion. Erdem's ability to weave historical references into contemporary designs continues to set him apart.
Emerging Stars and Designers Shine Bright
Harris Reed made his official LFW schedule debut at the Tate Modern, presenting a collection titled 'Encore'. Every piece was crafted from upcycled materials, including vintage tablecloths, bedspreads, and antique curtains, showcasing Reed's commitment to sustainability and theatrical design.
Noon by Noor, founded by Shaikha Noor Rashid Al Khalifa and Shaikha Haya Mohamed Al Khalifa, unveiled their 'Ray of Light' collection at Somerset House. Drawing inspiration from Man Ray's iconic imagery and Katerina Jebb's contemporary art, the collection explored the interplay of light and shadow. Translucent fabrics and layered textures created garments that played with illumination, featuring elegant silhouettes that oscillated between fragility and strength.
Karoline Vitto continued to champion body diversity with her innovative designs. Her SS25 collection featured draped dresses that artfully wrapped around the body, incorporating her signature curved metal accents. This season, Vitto collaborated with Brazilian jeweller Carlos Penna to create adjustable, water-resistant metal closures that can adapt to any body shape, further cementing her commitment to inclusive design.
Charlie Constantinou, a recent Central Saint Martins graduate, showcased functional, shape-shifting garments. His collection featured trousers with multiple zips for versatile fits and detachable panels for multipurpose wear. Constantinou's focus on adaptable, sci-fi-inspired pieces demonstrates a fresh approach to sustainable fashion.
Pauline Dujancourt, a recipient of the British Fashion Council Newgen prize, presented a collection that masterfully blended feminine style with subversive elements. Her designs featured fine crocheted and softly knit creations, infused with drapes and deconstructed details. Metallic yarns and frayed edges added a contemporary twist to her ethereal aesthetic.
MAINS, the streetwear brand founded by Skepta, continued to make waves with its blend of London street culture and high fashion. The collection showcased the brand's signature mix of tailoring and sportswear, attracting a diverse crowd of music and fashion insiders.
Priya Ahluwalia's SS25 collection was a heartfelt exploration of "home," drawing inspiration from her Indian-Nigerian heritage and family photographs. The designer's ability to weave personal narratives into her designs attracted celebrities like Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Grace Carter to her show.
Chet Lo's presentation was a hot ticket, with attendees including Giggs, Mahalia, and Tanya Reynolds. The designer's innovative use of textiles and futuristic silhouettes continued to push boundaries, solidifying his position as one of London's most exciting young talents.
Fresh Perspectives
Tolu Coker brought joyous energy to LFW with a collection inspired by her parents' 1960s and 1970s style. Candy-striped mini dresses, warm sepia tones, and vibrant leathers were paired with statement hats created in collaboration with Virna Pasquinelli.
Masha Popova, known for her wearable Y2K-inspired designs, continued to make waves with butterfly tops, embroidered trousers, and cut-out dresses in a bright colour palette.
New Additions and Collaborations
New York-based label Puppets & Puppets made its LFW debut, switching from NYFW to showcase its latest collection.
Swiss sportswear brand On Running collaborated with artist FKA Twigs for a live performance titled 'The Body is Art', exploring movement and strength through an immersive art experience.
British fashion brand AllSaints celebrated its 30th anniversary with a catwalk show and a series of exclusive activations at the Serpentine Gallery.
The Future of Fashion
This season also saw the return of designers like S.S. Daley, Patrick McDowell, and Phoebe English, alongside BFC NewGen designers making their catwalk debuts, including Johanna Parv, Lueder, and Yaku.
Sustainability Takes Centre Stage
This season saw a significant focus on sustainability across many collections. Designers like Phoebe English and Patrick McDowell showcased collections made entirely from recycled or deadstock materials. The British Fashion Council also announced new initiatives to support sustainable practices in the industry, including a partnership with a leading textile recycling company.
Digital Innovation
While physical shows dominated, digital elements were seamlessly integrated. Burberry's show featured an augmented reality experience for remote viewers, while smaller brands like Rixo utilised virtual showrooms to showcase their collections to a global audience.
Key Trends
Several trends emerged across multiple shows, painting a picture of the fashion landscape for Spring/Summer 2025. Sheer fabrics and layering dominated many collections, offering a delicate and ethereal aesthetic. Bold, saturated colours made a strong statement, injecting vibrancy into the season's palette. Oversized suiting continued its reign, with designers offering fresh takes on relaxed tailoring. The Y2K and 90s revival showed no signs of slowing down, with many collections drawing inspiration from turn-of-the-millennium aesthetics. Perhaps most notably, sustainable and upcycled materials were at the forefront, reflecting the industry's growing commitment to environmental consciousness.
It's clear that the city's fashion ecosystem is more vibrant and innovative than ever. The SS25 season has proven that in the face of global challenges, London's fashion community continues to adapt, innovate, and inspire, solidifying its position as a leading force in the global fashion landscape.
The week served up a feast of creativity, proving once again that fashion is fabulous, fun, and fantastically unpredictable. Whether you were front row or watched from your sofa, remember: the best trend is always being unapologetically yourself!