London Fashion Week: A curated guide to fashion in the capital
London Fashion Week 2026 is fast approaching. It’s when the city sheds its grey overcoat from winter and steps forward with purpose into Spring. Unsure where to start with soaking up the best of Fashion Week in the capital? Let art’otel be your curator.
From showcases of highly anticipated collections to exhibitions open to the public, London transforms into a living mood board from 19-23 February, where heritage clashes with the hyper-modern on every street corner. Our art’otel properties, filled with diverse and bold artworks, offer you the perfect base for an inspiring journey.
Dates to know and how to follow
Thursday, February 19th, 8pm: The future of fashion begins with Central Saint Martins MA Fashion.
Saturday, 21 February & Sunday, 22 February: Discover A LETTER, a public exhibition by Aletta. Explore the designer’s world of making-as-thinking, where traditional fashion techniques sit alongside the makeshift and imperfect, presented in the NEWGEN show space at 180 Strand.
Sunday, 22 February, 12.00pm: Immerse yourself in the romantic silhouettes and craftsmanship-led design of Erdem. Collections are formed with a muse in mind, depicting previously untold stories of heroic women. The collections are always surprising with their experimental textiles and vibrant prints.
Later on Sunday, at 4.00pm, step into the poetic, texture-rich world of Simone Rocha. The brand is internationally renowned for its award-winning collections and refined storytelling.
Monday, 23 February, 7.00pm: The week closes with the grand finale from Burberry, where British luxury meets revolutionary style.
While most runway shows are industry or invite-only, you can follow highlights via London Fashion Week and designer channels, plus selected digital events.
After-show guide and events
The energy of a fashion show doesn’t end when the runway lights go out. Keep the inspiration going by attending art’otel London Hoxton’s Emerge: Fresh in Fashion. Witness new talent setting the tone for tomorrow’s trends while enjoying an immersive experience where fashion, art, and culture intersect. Buy your ticket so you don’t miss out.
For a spot of people-watching near the Fashion Week shows, head to Somerset House as it hums with creative energy. With a constant flow of people descending on the neoclassical building, it’s the perfect place to see different fashion styles.
Inside Somerset House, visit The Courtauld Gallery for a remarkable collection of paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and decorative arts from the Renaissance through to the 20th century. Beyond its permanent collection of masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, Cézanne and more, explore the temporary exhibition Seurat and the Sea and see the pointillist’s serene seascapes.
A short walk will lead you to Covent Garden, where niche cosmetics shops, curated home goods and cafes like The Black Penny or WatchHouse are perfect for boutique shopping and recharging. For history and great food, book a table at London’s oldest restaurant Rules. Its beautifully furnished interiors and menu of classic British dishes provide a timeless and fashionable finale to any day.
Museums that showcase the soul of fashion
For a break from exciting shows and boutique shopping, slow down and dive deeper into fashion’s narratives.
The Victoria and Albert Museum holds fashion’s soul in its archives. Currently, Marie Antoinette Style (until 22 March 2026) offers a profound exploration of womanhood, power, and gaze through one of history’s first style icons. It reveals how the very systems of designers, trends, and image management we know today can be traced back to the 18th-century queen’s legacy.
Visit the Fashion and Textile Museum for a glimpse behind the velvet curtain with Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop (until 8 March 2026). From A Room with a View to Downton Abbey and Peaky Blinders, see how London’s renowned costumier crafts period dress for screen, with behind-the-scenes process and never-before-seen pieces. Time your visit for a guided tour (19 and 25 February, 3.00pm) and hear the untold stories behind the stitches. The tours are free of charge with exhibition tickets.
London’s long fashion influence
It isn’t just fashion week when London shows its creative prowess. For decades, the capital has been a global influence on moods and trends of the time.
Carnaby Street rose to global prominence in the 1960s, becoming a hub for mod and youth culture. Boutiques like John Stephen’s His Clothes and Lord John drew musicians and tastemakers, while the surrounding streets beat with underground clubs and the Marquee on Wardour Street. In 1966, TIME magazine’s “Swinging London” cover further cemented the area’s legend.
The era intersected with the British Invasion in music, as bands including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones inspired parallel revolutions in pop art and style. Add Carnaby Street and Soho to your wander list for a living slice of style history.
In the 1970s, 430 King’s Road became a crucible of punk style. Iconic British designers Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s ever-evolving boutique shifted from Let It Rock to SEX, then Seditionaries, redefining subculture aesthetics and shaping the look of British punk.
Mary Quant’s Bazaar at 138 King’s Road had already set a youth fashion precedent in the 1950s, establishing the street’s reputation for experimentation.
Punk never dies, and you can still find clothing shops or boutiques that nod to the rebellious spirit of King’s Road.
Inspirational stays at art’otel
Your front-row experience begins the moment you step inside. At art’otel London Hoxton, start your day while waking up to the beautiful city views. At art’otel London Battersea Power Station, recharge amid iconic industrial architecture and savour authentic Italian flavours at TOZI Pizzeria & Cicchetti Bar.
At art’otel, every detail, from amenity design to curated recommendations from our team, is considered to deepen your experiences.
