London Fashion Week opened today – one of the big four trade shows in the fashion world (along with New York, Paris and Milan) and it’s kind of exciting, even if you don’t know your Westwood from your Westfield.
So what’s the fuss all about?
London fashion Week
Where’s it held?
Somerset House
Most of the London Fashion Week action takes place in Somerset House on the Strand, which is the headquarters of the British Fashion Council.
Throughout London Fashion Week an exhibition of fashion brands exhibit their collections, hoping to write a few big orders from buyers.
The biggest marquee is set up in Somerset House where back-to-back runway shows will take place.
Over 5,000 people will pass though Somerset House during the week.
The rest of London
Designers will take over venues all over London for Fashion Week. In the past, galleries, clubs, churches, restaurants and civic buildings have been used to put on shows.
This year, the Topshop-sponsored NEWGEN events will take place in the Old Billingsgate Market.
What are the big shows?
Burberry will be showing in Kensington Park Gardens on Monday and live-streaming the show onto the Coca-Cola screen in Piccadilly Circus, as well as 40 stores across the world.
Giles and Christopher Kane also show on Monday.
Issa show on Saturday and will be getting lots of press as the label is a favourite with Kate Middleton.
Young British designers like Meadham Kirchhoff, House of Holland and Swedish label Acne will be adding the edge this season.
US designer Alexander Wang and Tom Ford will also be showing in London.
Check here for the London Fashion Week schedule: londonfashionweek.co.uk
Who goes to London fashion Week?
Celebs and top-brass fashion editors will be snapped sitting in the front row of the big shows. Get ready for countless pictures of London fashion pack Alexa Chung, Daisy Lowe and Pixie Geldof wearing good outfits and giggling.
The style press fly will be out in force. Magazine editors such as Vogue’s Anna Wintour will take in select shows while fashion bloggers will be trying to blag their way into anything they can.
Outside the venues, style snappers will be scanning the crowd for people who’ve put together outfits worthy of their blogs or magazines.
London Fashion Week parties
Parties are a big party of London Fashion Week and by the time the show closes, swimming pools of champagne will have been consumed.
A biggie will be the Mulberry party at Claridges on Sunday, with Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke on the decks.
On Monday night, two of the heavy-hitting fashion mags – LOVE magazine and AnOther – throw parties.
Designers will be holding shindigs in clubs and bars the city wide but pretty much everything is invite only. Get blagging!
