The History Of London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week is known for its exciting mix of young designers and fashion houses, the fusion of fashion with traditional identity and business.

About London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week is an important part of the international fashion industry in general and the United Kingdom in particular. Every year, London Fashion Week takes place twice. In February and September, right after New York Fashion Week ended. Each season, London presents more than 250 collections to influencers and influencers in the industry.

Burberry house show

This week is also a remarkable commercial event. In particular, each season estimates the total value of orders up to more than 100 million pounds. Besides, this place is also considered a “hello yard” of many young talents in the fashion village. This is due to the fact that in London there are quite a number of institutes and teaching centers on the specialty. Many of the talents that have brought their collections for the first time in London include John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha and Jonathan Anderson.

When did London Fashion Week start?

London Fashion Week kicked off its first season in 1984. Events-based shows are usually held at 180 Strand Street or nearby logistics centers in the heart of the capital.

London Fashion Week takes place a year after the British Fashion Council was officially established. This is the former Fashion Industry Action Group, a commercial group founded in 1981 to manage fashion shows here.

Besides the British Fashion Council, London Fashion Week was founded with the help of Annette Worsley-Taylor, founder of London Design Group. There is also a PR expert, Lynne Frank. The energy and passion of Worsley-Taylor and Frank helped London’s first fashion seasons be covered by global fashion buyers and journalists. They are all people who will be very important to the wings for the success of London Fashion Week.

The first designer

London’s first fashion week featured 15 shows. The shows are presented at the parking lot of the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington. Among the first designers, we cannot forget to mention: Vivienne Westwood, David Fielden, Ghost and Betty Jackson.

Les Incroyables Collection by Designer John Galliano

Co-participating in the first season also has a collection of graduation projects of student John Galliano from Central Saint Martins Academy. The collection right after the show was well received by the press and the buyer. John was inspired by the French Revolution and the neo-romanticism movement. He named his debut work Les Incroyables. The collection was later purchased by Joan Burstein of the Browns store at an amazing price.

Reaching to the world

Following the success of the first London Fashion Week, the British Government provided funding to ensure the London Fashion Week was developed for the long term.

Throughout the two seasons of London Fashion Week 1980, success continued and the reputation of the event quickly spread throughout the world. The global appeal of Diana, Princess of Wales, who regularly attends London Fashion Week is a “male ingot” that attracts the world press.

Barbie Takes a Trip Around Nature’s Cosmic Curves Collection by Stevie Stewart and David Holah

On the designer side, London Fashion Week also welcomes the return of John Galliano. He introduced the public to the popular Bodymap brand. Advanced Bodymap designs, inspired by London nightclubs. The collection rocked London 1985 Fashion Week in 1985. This year, the collection of Barbie Takes a Trip Around Nature’s Cosmic Curves by Stevie Stewart and David Holah also caused a lot of curiosity.

Since the 1980s, London Fashion Week has continued to assert its position. Now, this series of events has created a solid foundation with the global fashion industry. For the British public, this is an event to look forward to each new season. They eagerly anticipate the latest trends created by veteran designers and talented generations.

The first supermodel

Not only is the stage attracting designers, London is also the destination for supermodels. In the late 1980s, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss simultaneously “attacked” London Fashion Week.

As for Naomi’s “Black Panther,” she first stepped onto the London stage with the 1988 Jasper Conran Spring-Summer show. That same year, Naomi became the first black model to appear on the cover of the French publication Vogue. This is a milestone to eliminate racial prejudice. Already deeply rooted in the minds of European fashion people.

Kate Moss on the left and Naomi Campbell

Together, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss became two of the most famous faces of British fashion. They also became part of a number of other important events during London Fashion Week.

Alexander Mcqueen and the recession phase

In the late 1980s, the United Kingdom suffered a major economic downturn and London Fashion Week was hit hard by more difficult times. Government funding was cut, leading to a sharp decline in the number of programs in early 1990.

At the height of the recession, a 23-year-old genius from East London appeared. His creations brought a revival to London Fashion Week struggling with difficulties. You are Lee ‘Alexander’ McQueen.

Designer Alexander Mcqueen (white shirt) is editing costumes for models in his 1998 Spring-Summer show

Like John Galliano, the student of Central Saint Martins Academy, Mcqueen quickly proved his talent. His graduation collection, Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims, attracted fashion editors in London. Isabella Blow, the once famous fashion editor, bought all the designs. Blow is also a sponsor of Mcqueen throughout his short career.

Mcqueen’s arrogance and gothic contemplation brought him early to fame. The next collection, Taxi Driver, is sponsored by the British Fashion Association. Starting in the Spring of Summer 1994, Mcqueen officially launched his brand at Garage Bluebird on King Street. Harriet Quick, Vogue’s fashion director, once spoke about Mcqueen: “His designs are life, death, sex and religion. He really is a talent.”

The early 2000s

In the early 2000s, young designers left London in turn to set foot in Paris. During this “migration”, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Julien MacDonald and Phoebe Philo all went to the Light City to reach new customers.

The situation got worse after the terrorist events in New York September 11, 2001. New talents such as Matthew Williamson, Luella, Roland Mouret and Preen, just bright in the sky of London, decided to leave. British capital to return to New York.

Hussein Chalayan Spring-Summer Collection 2007

New generations of London may follow Gareth Pugh, Throm Browne and Chistopher Kane. These designers also include creations that challenge gender by Jonathan Anderson. The exquisite design of Simone Rocha. The sleek creations of Anya Hindmarch. Graphics and prints by Roksanda Ilinčić and Mary Katrantzou. All of these designers overcome the barriers of “What fashion can be ” and build brands with sustainable development and a worldwide reputation.

London fashion week today

Today, London has been and continues to be an attractive destination for fashionistas around the world. In the context of modern society and the development of social networks, London has emerged as an advanced capital with technology. Help people in the world can see, buy and own all designs from brands here.

In addition, peripheral agents also deeply affect the situation of London Fashion Week. The political wave called Brexit (the British withdrawal from the European Union) and the feminist movement, today’s London fashion designs have delivered a message that reflects the social upheaval.

Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *