London Fashion Week: A curated guide to fashion in the capital
London Fashion Week 2026 returns this September with a compelling line-up of emerging and established designers. Unsure where to begin? Let art’otel be your guide to the best of Fashion Week in the capital.
From highly anticipated collections to exhibitions open to the public, London transforms into a living mood board from 17 to 21 September 2026.
When is London Fashion Week?
London Fashion Week runs from Thursday 17 September to Monday 21 September 2026, with catwalk shows, presentations and events taking place at venues across the capital.
Thursday, 17 September: London Fashion Week begins with Paul Costelloe at 10:00. Later in the day, Barbour presents its latest collection at 16:30, followed by Harris Reed at 18:00. New talent is also central to opening day. BFC NEWGEN recipient Francesca Lake presents from 13:30, while Birmingham City University showcases emerging talent at 17:00.
Members of the public can visit the BFC Jewellery Showcase at Dover Street Market from 11:00 to 19:00 or explore Saul Nash‘s AW26 ‘Masquerade’ in Residence pop-up between 12:00 and 17:00.
Friday, 18 September: Friday’s schedule brings together established names and rising designers. M&S makes its London Fashion Week catwalk debut at 12:00 with an exclusive “see now, buy now” collection, while Fashion East takes to the catwalk at 17:00. BFC NEWGEN designers Petra Fagerström, Oscar Ouyang and The Ouze also feature throughout the day.
Saturday, 19 September: Talia Byre opens the day’s catwalk schedule at 10:00, followed by Patrick McDowell at 11:00 and Ahluwalia at 13:00. Later, explore the distinctive perspectives of TOGA at 15:00, KNWLS at 17:00 and Richard Quinn at 18:00, before Chopova Lowena brings the official daytime schedule to a close at 20:00.
Sunday, 20 September: Some of the most anticipated names in the London Fashion Week line-up come together on Sunday. Simone Rocha opens the catwalk schedule at 10:00, followed by Erdem at 12:00 and Emilia Wickstead at 13:00. At 15:00, Christopher Kane presents his debut collection as creative director of Mulberry, before Roksanda at 17:00 and McQueen at 20:00. McQueen’s return includes Seán McGirr’s first London presentation for the house, featuring its menswear and womenswear Spring/Summer 2027 collections.
Monday, 21 September: The final day begins with Selasi at 10:00, DI PETSA at 12:00 and a presentation from BFC Fashion Trust recipient Tolu Coker at 12:30. After further presentations from emerging designers throughout the afternoon, Burberry closes London Fashion Week with its show at 19:00.
Most catwalk shows and presentations are reserved for invited guests and industry attendees, but digital events and selected public showcases make it possible to follow the programme beyond the front row. Check the official London Fashion Week schedule and individual designer channels for the latest timings and access details.
How to attend London Fashion Week
Can you buy tickets for London Fashion Week?
Most shows on the official London Fashion Week schedule are invite-only and reserved for buyers, press and leading figures from the fashion industry. However, selected showcases, pop-ups, talks and digital presentations are open to the public, with some requiring advance booking or a separately purchased ticket.
Begin with the official schedule and look for listings marked “open to public”. You can also explore public events and retail activations taking place across the capital, or follow the shows through London Fashion Week and participating designers’ online channels. Be sure to check whether ticketed events are part of the official British Fashion Council schedule, as independent fashion shows also take place in London during the same period.
Where is London Fashion Week held?
London Fashion Week usually takes place at the British Fashion Council’s show space at 180 The Strand. Further public exhibitions and activations can be found across London.
After-show guide and events
The energy of a fashion show doesn’t end when the runway lights go out. Keep the inspiration going at Dover Street Market, where the BFC Jewellery Showcase brings together accessories and jewellery from designers on the London Fashion Week schedule. Open to the public from Thursday to Saturday, it gives visitors another perspective on contemporary British design.
For an exhibition that connects fashion with personal expression, head to Somerset House for Fleurs de Villes DIANA. Running from 16 September to 6 October, the exhibition features 15 floral mannequins made with fresh flowers that are inspired by some of Diana, Princess of Wales’s best-known looks. Each design celebrates how she used fashion to connect with people, inspire compassion and champion the causes she cared about.
Another Somerset House exhibition, Reviving Craft: Reflection of the Mind, runs from 16 to 27 September. This exhibition explores what craft means culturally, philosophically and materially across stoneware, ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles and furniture.
At The Courtauld Gallery, Modern Painting from the Courtauld and Reuben Collections opens on 18 September. Explore radical new approaches to painting in the first half of the 20th century, featuring works by Cézanne, Modigliani, Léger, Picasso, Magritte and others.
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.
A short walk leads you to Covent Garden, where independent boutiques, beauty shops, curated home goods and cafes such as The Black Penny or WatchHouse offer the chance to browse and recharge. 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 explore fashion and design
For a change of pace between shows and shopping, explore the designers, wardrobes and cultural movements that have shaped fashion.
At the V&A South Kensington, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art examines Elsa Schiaparelli’s influence from the 1920s to the present day. The first UK exhibition devoted to the designer and fashion house brings together 100 ensembles and 50 artworks, including pieces connected to Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau and Man Ray. It also traces the house’s evolution under current creative director Daniel Roseberry. The exhibition runs until 8 November 2026.
For a different interpretation of fashion history, visit NIGO: From Japan with Love at the Design Museum. Open until 4 October, the exhibition explores the Japanese designer and artistic director’s influence across streetwear, luxury fashion, music and design. More than 700 objects reveal the references behind his work, from vintage Americana and hip-hop to traditional Japanese craft and 1980s Tokyo.
The museum is also taking part in London Design Festival, which runs from 12 to 20 September. Its programme includes displays and discussions exploring contemporary design, making it a natural addition to a Fashion Week itinerary.
At The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style presents the largest exhibition of the late Queen’s fashion ever mounted. More than 300 items span all 10 decades of her life, including clothing, jewellery, hats, shoes, design sketches and fabric samples. Together, they reveal the consideration and craftsmanship behind one of the most recognisable wardrobes in modern British history. The exhibition runs until 18 April 2027, although advance booking is strongly recommended.
London’s long fashion influence
When was the first London Fashion Week?
The inaugural event was held in 1984, with its earliest catwalk shows taking place in the car park of the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington. The participating designers included Vivienne Westwood, Betty Jackson, David Fielden and Ghost. Today, London Fashion Week sits alongside New York, Milan and Paris as one of the world’s four major fashion weeks.
How many times a year is London Fashion Week held?
The British Fashion Council presents its principal womenswear and menswear programme twice a year, with editions in February and September. The February schedule presents the Autumn/Winter collections, while September focuses on Spring/Summer.
A brief history of fashion in London
London’s influence on fashion extends far beyond its twice-yearly shows. 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.
Where to stay during London Fashion Week
Your front-row experience begins as soon as you step inside. At art’otel London Hoxton, wake up to beautiful city views before heading out to explore the London Fashion Week schedule. 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 distinctive amenity design to recommendations curated by our team, is considered to enrich your time in London.
