The most fashionable time of the year is finally upon us again, as the world’s biggest fashion stars descend on the British capital for the AW24 edition of London Fashion Week. And this season is set to be bigger than ever before. Why? Because the biennial event marks a milestone 40th anniversary, and apart from fashion shows from key designers, there will be a plethora of pop-ups, events and parties to celebrate.
From names to know, places to go and what to wear, here’s your insider’s guide to enjoying London Fashion Week like a Cosmo editor.
When is London Fashion Week?
London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2024 will officially open on Friday 16th February 2024 and run until Tuesday 20th February 2024.
Names to know
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Turkker AW24
With over 100 designers taking part this season across men’s, women’s and accessories, it’s understandable that the sheer number of names can be a little overwhelming. Big names like Burberry, JW Anderson, Molly Goddard and Richard Quinn are again showing their latest collections in London this year, but for us, London Fashion Week is all about the up-and-coming designers to watch. After all, the city is best known for introducing boundary-pushing creatives to the world.
What names are getting everyone excited this season? Sinead O’Dwyer with her fresh and genuine approach to true inclusivity; Chet Lo with his latest durian fruit-inspired knitwear; Canadian-Chinese designer Susan Huang, who will be unveiling a big-name collaboration at her show on Monday afternoon; Tolu Coker with her colorful West African-inspired clothes that inevitably evoke joy; Annie’s Ibiza with her dramatic eveningwear and celeb-filled FROW; and Dilara Findikoglu, whose long-awaited return to LFW on Sunday is rumored to be *big*. Also in store are Ahluwalia, Holzweiler, Di Peza, Marques Almeida and more.
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Chet Lo AW24
Filippo Fior
Annie’s Ibiza AW24
Places to go
No guests in tow? No problem, there are plenty of venues around town that offer a fashionable vibe without a strict guest list.
Old Selfridge Hotel
LAUNCHMETRICS Spotlight
Home to the BFC NEWGEN showspace, the Old Selfridge Hotel (just beside the department store’s food hall) is a hub of activity perfect for people-watching, and a must-see for aspiring photographers, content creators, and street style stars.
Edited by Raey Café
Matches Fashion’s Mayfair townhouse at 5 Carlos Place is the perfect place for fashion folk to refuel between shows, with a pop-up cafe on the top floor serving seasonal, sustainable and entirely vegan food courtesy of EDIT.
Home house rotation
For those times when you suddenly need some clothes, rental platform By Rotation will be hosting a pop-up at Home House in collaboration with EYC, offering LFW goers a curated collection of amazing designer clothes from brands like Rabanne, 16Arlington, Jean Paul Gaultier and more. Available until February 17th.
Anya says walk.
Anya Hindmarch’s Pont Street store has been transformed into everything from an ice cream parlour to a Christmas grotto over the years, but this time the concept is… walking. The cult British accessories designer has teamed up with Ordnance Survey to celebrate one of our favourite pastimes with a special capsule collection, top-of-the-line walking products and in-store events, just in time for Fashion Week. Don’t forget to pop into the café next door for some eye-popping sweet treats too. Until 20th February
Di Peza x The Botree
With so many shows happening in Marylebone this season, the Botree Hotel is the perfect place to pop in and see Di Pezza’s first retrospective, featuring key runway looks and dresses worn by the likes of Kylie Jenner, Adriana Lima and Shakira. Until 19th February
The full programme of London Fashion Week city-wide celebration events can be found here.
What to Wear
Dressing for London Fashion Week is always tricky, even for seasoned pros like us. You want to look stylish, but not like you’re trying too hard. You want to be on trend without blowing your wallet. And, most importantly, you have to feel good. You might want to wear your nicest heels for the occasion, but if you’re doing 12 hours of shows straight, you want to be able to walk the whole way…
Flats are recommended for daytime wear. With ballet pumps, funky trainer collabs, and trendy UGGs, you don’t have to compromise on looking cool. When it comes to clothes, don’t blindly follow the latest trends without thinking about whether they’re actually comfortable. Being true to your own style and being confident is much more important than ticking a box. While it’s mostly influencers, celebrities, and street style stars who go full peacock mode at fashion week, editors and industry insiders tend to dress a bit more conservatively. Think oversized tailoring, good jeans, and classic t-shirts teamed with designer sunglasses, a fun bag, a nice coat, and statement jewelry.
KLAYD Maram Black Muscle Bodysuit, Lay Dad Cotton Baggy Boyfriend Cropped Leg Jeans, Charles & Keith x Chet Low Spike Textured Shoulder Bag, Whistles Iyana Snake Print Leather Coat, Dia Frances Rose Crystal Small White Flats, Hush Hattie Cotton Slub Crew Neck T-Shirt, Mango Ballerina with Mesh Bracelet, Gina Shah x Casetify Raspberry Beret Phone Case
You don’t need to (and shouldn’t) spend a ton of money to look fashionable. Instead of rushing out to buy last-minute clothes you’ll never wear again, why not covet some “new clothes” by renting some great pieces from By Rotation or MyWardrobe HQ instead? eBay’s Pre-Loved section is also an insider’s treasure trove of second-hand designer items at a fraction of the regular price (and without the fast fashion bite).
How to travel
While we love London’s public transport, it’s not always reliable these days (those never-ending strikes, anyone?) and the weather has a quirk that brings wind and rain when you least expect it. So for an editor with a jam-packed schedule of shows and events across London, a private car is an absolute necessity. Plus, nothing beats the appeal of arriving at a venue in a shiny new, top-of-the-line car, chauffeured along… That’s why Cosmo editors turn to Blacklane to get from venue to venue stress-free and in style.
This premium chauffeur service offers a fleet of top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW cars that can be easily booked through the app for the amount of time you need, with smartly suited drivers ready to tackle even the busiest London Fashion Week schedules with ease. Plus, every trip is carbon offset, so you can travel guilt-free. And since Blacklane operates in major cities around the world, you can be sure to rely on them for Milan, New York, and Paris Fashion Week.
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Clementina Jackson is the Fashion Editor for Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health UK, covering everything from celebrity style and catwalk trends to the hottest brands and cult products you need to know about (and buy before they sell out). She also commissions first-person and long-form fashion features, oversees shopping content, and tests the latest innovations in the industry. Clementina previously worked as the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, where she profiled high-end designers, interviewed everyone from Priyanka Chopra to Jane Fonda, and launched the Cut To Size franchise to shine a light on size-conscious fashion. During this time, she was also named a recipient of the PPA 30 Under 30 award. With over six years in journalism, Clementina has also written for Harper’s Bazaar, Red, Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller, Italy Segreta, and more, covering everything from luxury travel, lifestyle and restaurants to photography and interiors.
