Victoria Beckham’s February 2020 London Fashion Week show. Photo: Instagram/@londonfashionweek
London Fashion Week is one of the most highly anticipated events in the fashion calendar. Yet, with the uncertainty of the coronavirus outbreak, which saw June’s Fashion Week held entirely online, it was previously unknown how September’s Fashion Week would take place. However, the British Fashion Council has now announced that September’s London Fashion Week will be featuring live, physical catwalk shows.
Despite the disruptions from the Covid-19 outbreak, “London Fashion Week is one of the few international events to still be going ahead in London, proving the industry’s resilience, creativity, and innovation in difficult times,” the British Fashion Council has said. The organizing body has also stated that coronavirus restrictions have provided an opportunity to reassess formula and innovate to maintain the industry’s influence, particularly in terms of employment.
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The event, taking place in the UK’s capital between Thursday, September 17 — Tuesday, September 22, will be split into three sections, allowing for brands to showcase their creations digitally, physically, or both. Similar announcements have been made from the organizers of both Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks, taking place later this month. However, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has stated that due to the “strict state public health guidance”, New York Fashion Week is likely to have little or no spectators.
This month’s Fashion Week will feature a line-up of both womenswear and menswear, despite the September shows traditionally showcasing womenswear. The British Fashion Council has said this year’s Fashion Week will be a more “gender-neutral showcase” featuring both menswear, womenswear, and mixed collections. The provisional line-up for the event features Burberry, Richard Quinn, Temperley London, Matty Bovan, RIXO, and many others.
More than 80 brands will be featuring their collections at this year’s event. While there are many brands showcasing only online, on londonfashionweek.com, brands such as Burberry and Victoria Beckham will include both digital activations and physical shows. Amanda Wakeley, Roksanda, Simone Rocha, and others will be solely presenting their creations at physical catwalk shows, under government social distancing guidelines.
Burberry is set to kick off London Fashion Week, on Thursday, September 17, with their digital showcase.
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