London Fashion Week, a premier biannual five-day fashion trade show held in February and September since 1983, took place at 180 The Strand this year. The AW26 season, running from February 19th to February 23rd, commenced with a notable show by Tolu Coker attended by King Charles lll. The week concluded at Old Billingsgate, featuring celebrities like PinkPantheress, Elton John, and Kim Seungmin. Key performances throughout the week included Ella Eyre at the Topshop x John Lewis Party, and appearances by musicians Kojey Radical and athlete Jazmin Sawyers for Labrum.
London Fashion Week February 2026 AW26 showcased a mix of dark romanticism, 1980s/90s power dressing, and vibrant, sustainable fashion. Key trends included strong shoulders, lace, intricate embroidery, and bold, unexpected color combinations. Notable collections came from Labrum, Simone Rocha, Paul Costelloe, and emerging designers like Argo Studio.
London Fashion Week AW26 championed a message of confident rebellion and creative defiance, emphasizing individuality, structural volume, and the blending of heritage with modern, sustainable techniques. Critics noted a move away from purely reactive, fast-fashion trends towards more thoughtful, lasting design, with a strong focus on “ real “ clothing in the face of gloomy, rainy London weather. Despite the focus on practicality, many designers, including Richard Quinn and Julien Macdonald, embraced high-impact glamour, with beading and embellished, sculptural pieces taking the spotlight. Young designers like Conner Ives ( who showcased in the intimate setting of Claridges’s ) and Patrick McDowell were praised for merging upcycled, conscious design with compelling, personal narratives. Karoline Vitto’s “ Thaw “ collection was critically lauded for returning to body diversity after seasons of minimalism, celebrating varied forms.
