This week, London Fashion Week returns to the city, and with it comes feelings of intense FOMO. As big-name designers and models rub shoulders with the chicest A-listers, the rest of us watch in envy as we crane our necks to catch a glimpse of the good life. But while there are usually only a handful of truly great fashion parties in the city (most are off-limits unless you know someone who knows someone), there are plenty of ways to get involved. And why not; 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of fashion week, and around a third of the 120 or so official LFW events are open to the public, meaning this mysterious and elusive world is more accessible than ever before. Beyond the red velvet ropes and impossible-to-catch catwalks, London Fashion Week continues with a raft of glamorous after-parties at the capital’s best bars, hotels and restaurants. Here’s our bluffster’s guide to LFW.
Shows to watch
While the public is generally kept away from the mainstream shows at 180 Strand and Somerset House, home to the British Fashion Council, some smaller shows offer glimpses into glam living. Conde Nast College of Fashion and Design special screening of graduate exhibitions can be a good starting point to discover the next generation of artistic talents at this hallowed design school. Join now. Elsewhere, Tate, host of resale giants eBay and BFC Infinite PodiumThe show, which debuts at New York Fashion Week on September 5, will be hosted by model Leomie Anderson and eBay style director Amy Bannerman and will be simultaneously streamed live, as are many of the shows at NYCFW.
Swiss brand Open recently announced a partnership with FKA Twigs, and on September 16, the brand and the artist will team up for a unique show to “explore the way we train and move in an immersive art experience.” Considering the attention we’ve seen for the “spray-on shoes” she showcased alongside fellow ambassador Zendaya at the Paris Olympics, this show is set to be packed.
Otherwise, there will be numerous evening events, exhibitions and catwalks throughout the week, the best of which are: Brazil Creates Tomorrow’s Fashion (September 12); Medusa X Fashion Week and City Catwalk (September 13) and Oxford Fashion Studio x Langan’s Upstairs (September 14). These hard-to-find evenings are deliberately missed, but register your attendance online via the official LFW program and you’ll soon be mingling with those in the know. Elsewhere Standard Hotel starting CIROK vodka residence joint KNWLsThe studio, founded by Charlotte Knowles and Alexandre Arsenault, both Central St Martins graduates, has designed a range of in-room products and collections, and the hotel is hosting parties in Sweeties, Decimo and some of its best terrace suites, including a book launch for Law Roach’s debut book, How To Build A Fashion Icon. Full details at londonfashionweek.co.uk
Celebrities to watch out for
Movie stars make an appearance at the Frow every September, but as NYFW shows, there’s likely to be a large number of attendees this season. With everyone from the Jonas Brothers to AJ Tracey performing in London before or during fashion week, we can expect to see them at the Frows of London’s top shows. Last year, we saw the likes of Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne, Adwoa Aboah, Paloma Elsesser, and this year, at the 40th edition of LFW, don’t be surprised to see Naomi Campbell, FKA Twigs, Stormzy, Maya Jama, David Gandy, Edie Campbell, Charlie Casely-Hayford and more. Speaking of celebrities, if you’re the type of person who likes to hang out somewhere to see an A-list person, add Supriya Lele, Holzweiler, Mains, 16Arlington, JW Anderson and Aaron Esh to your list.
Party like you’re invited
The key to truly feeling like you’re living the fashionista life is to do it all day long; you might not be able to be chauffeured from show to show, but you can Uber between shows. LFW events are confirmed for: Standard (WC1H, standardhotels.com), Hoxton (EC2A, thehoxton.com) and rumored afterparties everywhere A Hotel Mayfair (W1J, 1hotels.com) Twenty Two (W1K, thetwentytwo.com), there’s plenty to see and do throughout the week.
Unlike last year, no official closing party has been announced and the location of the LFW40 Icons party is being kept strictly secret, so your best bet is to head to the Silk Road Fashion event. Chelsea Old Town Hall (September 16, SW3, eventbrite.co.uk). RSVP to the podium and follow the cool team for a night on the tiles. Celebrations will continue across the UK Citywide celebrationsThe programme of events, produced with the help of the British Fashion Council, is expanding to Manchester and Newcastle for the first time, with over 1,000 experiences and events open to the public across the month, featuring over 350 brands (UK-wide, britishfashioncouncil.co.uk).
Drinking and dining in high style
A big part of the fun of LFW is the chance to mingle with the right people – and that means knowing where they’ll be. There are no guarantees here, but it’s no surprise that five-star hotels are a good place to start. Rosewood London (WC1, rosewoodhotels.com) has long been known as a low-profile A-list hangout (Brad Pitt has been spotted many times). Head to the hotel’s Scarfes Bar and keep your eyes peeled. Otherwise, our money’s on places like Broadwick (W1F, broadwicksoho.com) has become a popular spot for many celebrities since it opened, In Sloane (SW1W, atsloane.com) and NoMad (WC2E, hilton.com) was once a fashion darling, but has since been acquired by Hilton, which may be tarnishing its street cred. Instead, try the new one from Maybourne Group (Claridge’s and others). Emory’s (SW1X, the-emory.co.uk) or London Edition (W1T, editionhotels.com).
As for restaurants, try Rita’s (W1F, ritasdining.com) — Dua Lipa is swooning — LPM (W1K, lpmrestaurants.com) — Rumored to be Harry Styles’ favorite — Dover (W1S,thedoverrestaurant.com) — everyone’s favorite — and the new party palace Ambassadors Club (W1D, ambassadorsclubhouse.com), then head downstairs to the new club bar area (which stays open until 1am).
Perfect Magazine organizes a lap top event every year and this year Pigeon (W1J, 1hotels.com) was selected as the venue. Guest list officially seems like a good plan to go here on a Sunday night, as the likelihood of a closed but glitzy Mayfair after-party is quite high. Elsewhere, the Dorchester’s elegant Evening Bar (W1K, dorchestercollection.com) keeps a steady stream of A-list names coming in for drinks and if you’re a member, Annabel’s (W1J, annabels.co.uk) and George (W1K, georgeclub.com) is always busy with celebrities and fashionistas.
Soon Little Girl (W1J, 20berkeley.com) is also ideal for getting close to glamour and turning the corner, owned by Prada March 1824 (W1K, pasticceriamarchesi.com) makes a stylish set. Otherwise, try Viajante87 (W11, viajantebar.com). Red Room At Connaught (W1K, the-connaught.co.uk) and Stormzy House Party (W1F, thehouse.party) might host a rave under the radar with a bit of luck. See you there.