Catwalk To Cover, London Bridge
Putting what happens between the catwalk and magazine covers under the spotlight, this talk covers what goes into haute couture. Examine designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Marc Jacobs.
Until Sat, Feb 25
83 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3XF
£7
Tube: London Bridge
ftmlondon.org
Catwalk screenings at the Mayfair Hotel, Mayfair
Instead of being stuck behind some tall model at the runway shows, or worrying about a rude fashionista stealing your seat, watch live catwalk screenings in the classy surrounds of The May Fair Hotel. The official LFW hotel will broadcast the shows in its Quince Restaurant & Bar, where you can eat pink candyfloss with your cocktails. On Sunday, February 19, they will launch a clubnight hosted by DJ and singer-songwriter Sunday Girl (aka Jade Williams), which is set to be one hell of a stylish party. Who says you need tickets to appreciate couture?
Live screenings take place throughout LFW
Stratton Street, W1J 8LT
Free
Tube: Green Park
themayfairhotel.co.uk
Swap In The City UK, Bloomsbury
Skint fashion lovers: unite for a swish (aka clothes swap). As part of the oh-so-ethical Good Fashion Show, this is one decent clothes-swapping event, where you’ll not only be helping the environment by recycling old clothes, but also save some cash by trading in your unwanted items for someone else’s. The rules are: bring 5-10 quality vintage or designer items (clothes, shoes, handbags or coats), then take the same number of pieces home. It’s basically a new outfit for £6. For your entry fee, you’ll also get a goodie bag. Treatments including mini-manicures and massages will also be available at the swishing event.
Sat, Feb 18. 3pm-6pm
London House, Mecklenburgh Square, WC1N 2AB
£6
Tube: Russell Square
eventbrite.com
Bourjois Boutique at The Gallery, Shoreditch
While you watch screenings of the LFW catwalk shows, get your hair styled, nails manicured and make-up perfected for free, while also enjoying some super discounts on cosmetics (about 65 per cent off) and limited-edition products. There’ll also be macarons, and fashion illustrator Zarina Liew will there to sketch your new look.
February 16-20. Thurs 12-5pm, Fri 12-6pm, Sat-Mon 12-8pm
Beach Blanket Babylon, E1 6LA
Free
Tube: Shoreditch High Street
beachblanket.co.uk
New Fashion: Interventions in Materials and Techniques, Marylebone
Why sit around watching established designers’ clothes trotting down the catwalk when you can be one of the first to see the ‘next big thing’? This exhibition showcases bright, young talent in the design, illustration and photographic realms of fashion. New and exciting designers such as knitwear specialist Derek Lawlor, and Fashion Fringe award- winners Fyodor Golan, Vogue’s ‘one to watch’, Una Buke, and Felicity Brown, who cut her teeth at Mulberry and Lanvin, will show their experimental, but wearable, pieces.
February 16–April 7. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-4pm.
20 John Princes Street, W1G 0BJ
Free
Tube: Oxford Circus
fashionspacegallery.com
Front Row Cocktails, West End
If you can’t get in the front row, at least have a Front Row cocktail. The menu at the Light Bar includes the London Legged Londoner, made with gin, rose syrup and pink-clove cordial; and the $10,000 Breakfast, with jasmine-and-clove-infused vodka, creme de peche, lemon, sugar and egg white.
Throughout LFW
45 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4HX
£6
Tube: Leicester Square
stmartinslane.com
Mary Katrantzou at Topshop, Oxford Street
Get a taste of designer gear with Mary Katrantzou’s line for Topshop. Starts at £40.
From Fri, Feb 17. 9am
214 Oxford Street, W1W 8LG
Tube: Oxford Circus
topshop.com
The One-day Designer’s Sale, Clerkenwell
Get discounts of up to 75 per cent off pieces from 45 cutting-edge UK designers.
Tues, Feb 21. 12pm-7pm
33-35 St John’s Square & 21 Clerkenwell Green, EC1M 4DS
Tube: Farringdon
craftcentral.org.uk
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Mirjam Nuver’s Butterfly Exhibition at The Hat Gallery, Kensington
Always thought you’d fit well in the front row of Ascot, sporting an enormous hat? If you can’t get into Fashion Week for inspiration on your head-wear, lust over some big and beautiful millinery at the Hat Gallery. Both one-offs and ready-to-wear pieces from Dutch hat-maker Mirjam Nuver, will be on show, with all designs based on butterflies.
Until Mon, Feb 27. 10am-6pm
32-34 Earl’s Court Road, W8 6EJ
Free
Tube: High Street Kensington
hat-gallery.co.uk
Are You Following Me? Technology and Fashion Trends, Camden
Any tecchie fashionistas should head to this session on how technology and social media influences the world of fashion. There’ll be a panel discussing the issues, including Nicola McClafferty, from second-hand designer website Covetique.com, and Dean Fankhauser, from social fashion wishlist site Nuji.
Mon, Feb 20. 6pm
19 Mandela Street, NW1 0DU
Free
Tube: Camden Town
eventbrite.com
Style Icon Karaoke, Soho
Step into the shoes of your top style icon for a silly night of fashion-themed karaoke in celebration of LFW. Get free entry by emailing email@karaokenetwork.com.
Mon, Feb 13. 6pm-11pm
11 Lower John Street, W1F 9TY
Free
Tube: Piccadilly Circus
karaokenetwork.com
The Good Fashion Show, Bloomsbury
All eyes here are on ethical fashion. During the day, fair trade, organic and sustainable clothes by international designers will be on sale. There’ll also be industry speakers and an exhibition of provocative fashion photography and art. In the evening, there’s a catwalk show that proves ethical clothes can still look freakin’ amazing.
Sat, Feb 18. Exhibitions & Market, 9am-7pm. Runway show, 7.30pm
London House, Mecklenburgh Square, WC1N 2AB
£5/ £30
Tube: Russell Square
thegoodfashionshow.org
Social Fabric, Shoreditch
On a more serious note, this exhibition looks at the textile industry from the angles of capitalism, labour, colonialism, international trade and radical politics. Mainly focusing on India, it looks at the social and economic role of fabric production.
Until Sat, Mar 10
Rivington Place, EC2A 3BA
Free
Tube: Old Street
iniva.org
A Catwalk Show and a Film Premiere, West End
Get in on a stylish soiree for fashion fans who don’t necessarily have special access. It’s by designer Danish Wakeel, to showcase his new collection, Draped Modern Kouroi. Guests will be the first to see The Ivory Tower – a short movie highlighting the artistic side of Wakeel’s music-influenced collection, as well as the more sinister side of high fashion. There’ll also be tasty canapés, live music, goodie bags and a live catwalk show. A £20 VIP ticket will get you front-row seats and a swag of freebies. Ten per cent of all ticket sales goes to Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.
The dress code for the night is “smart and fashionable”, naturally.
Wed, Feb 22. 9pm
1 Leicester Square, WC2H 7NA
£10.20
Tube: Leicester Square
eventbrite.co.uk
Fashion Week cocktails, City
Even if you don’t manage to crash the VIP events and sip champagne while pouting with Anna Wintour and Victoria Beckham, you can still sip some fashionable cocktails in the more relaxed surroundings of a bar. The Anthologist in the City is serving LFW cocktails, such as the McQueen, made with Snow Queen vodka, Lillet Blanc, rhubarb bitters, hibiscus water and edible flowers. Or try Hobo Haute, a heady mix of vanilla-infused Buffalo Trace, Guinness, ginger syrup and chocolate bitters. And the Russian Rose Martini has less than 150 calories. Glam.
Feb 17-23
58 Gresham Street, EC2V 7BB
£7+
Tube: Bank
theanthologistbar.co.uk
Yayoi Kusama, Southwark
Known for using dot patterns, the 82-year-old fashion designer and Japanese contemporary artist will collaborate with Louis Vuitton this summer. She gets a retrospective at the Tate Modern, just in time for LFW.
Until Tue, Jun 5. 10am-6pm daily
Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG
£10
Tube: Southwark
tate.org.uk
