London Fashion Week AW26: What To Expect
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4 weeks ago
A flurry of high-profile shows and presentations return to the capital this February
Winter might feel dark and gloomy, but there are plenty of bright spots to get you through the season – like London Fashion Week. Want to stay in the loop for AW26? Read our guide below for everything you need to know about LFW.
Catch Up On Last Season’s Highlights Here
A Guide To London Fashion Week AW26
What Is London Fashion Week?
Organised by the British Fashion Council (BFC), London Fashion Week is a large-scale fashion event comprised of catwalk shows, showrooms, presentations and events held throughout London. During its regular months, February and September, it showcases the talents of over 250 designers from Britain and beyond.
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When Is It?
London Fashion Week AW26 takes place between Thursday 19 and Monday 23 February 2026.
Where Is It?
All events during London Fashion Week take place in the UK capital, across various locations within the city.
Can Anyone Go?
London Fashion Week celebrations are usually made up of a combination of public and private events – although it’s worth noting that shows are usually invite-only. Although you won’t miss out entirely; designers tend to livestream or upload a video of their show just after its premiere, so you can still watch on the relevant social channels.
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London Fashion Week AW26 Schedule Highlights
The British Fashion Council continues its new designer-first approach, which included waiving show fees for designer members showing physically on the main schedule and doubling investment in the LFW Guest Programme to help bring in an even bigger cohort of international press, cultural commentators and buyers to the capital.
As for the schedule itself, this season takes a three-pronged approach – spotlighting global talent, LFW favourites and up-and-coming names in the world of fashion. London icons Burberry, ERDEM, Emilia Wickstead and Richard Quinn return to the schedule, joined by BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund winner Conner Ives and Queen Elizabeth II Award winner Patrick McDowell. The likes of Fashion East, Harris Reed, MITHRIDATE and Paul Costelloe (marking the label’s first Fashion Week since Cotelloe passed away in 2025) also feature on this season’s schedule. And, as always, the BFC has curated a full roster of new names for its NEWGEN programme, who will be at a special showcase space throughout the week. You can find our guide of the designers to watch this season here.
A breakdown of the highlights for this season include:
THURS: 19 February
While the first day of London Fashion Week is typically condensed into just a few evening events, this season it appears to have undergone a shake-up. There are 12 events scheduled throughout the day, and nine more taking place in the evening. Runway shows and presentations come courtesy of Paul Costelloe, Harris Reed and Annie’s.
FRI: 20 February
Still the busiest day of the week, however, is Friday. The day is packed with 20 daytime shows, with six more events in the evening. The day will be kicked off by 16Arlington and Fiorucci, followed by Patrick McDowell, Bora Aksu, Fashion East and MITHRIDATE.
Burberry SS26
SAT: 21 February
Another big day of shows starts with catwalks from Selasi, COMPLETEDWORKS and Labrum London, with presentations by Chopova Lowena and Talia Byre.
SUN: 22 February
Sunday is similarly busy, with runways and presentations from Edeline Lee, ERDEM, Emilia Wickstead and Simone Rocha. The evening will also be rounded off by London Fashion Week favourite Richard Quinn.
MON: 23 February
The last day of shows ends on a high, with the likes of Di Petsa, John Richmond and Conner Ives wrapping up the season’s physical shows. As always, London Fashion Week finishes with a runway show from heritage label Burberry.
Patrick McDowell SS26
Online Shows
This season, all online shows have been contained to Monday 23 February – with designers showing every 10 to 15 minutes from 10am until 2.15pm. DiscoveryLAB and BFC NEWGEN designers take the morning slots, while designers EWENKI, APUJAN and Demon Zhang are scheduled to show later in the day.
BFC NEWGEN
Created by the British Fashion Council, this ongoing segment of London Fashion Week gives a platform to emerging fashion talent. Designers supported by this programme will receive financial support and mentoring as well as showcasing opportunities.
The BFC NEWGEN Show Space will be returning to 180 The Strand this season, with a full roster of designers. Those taking part for AW26 include:
- AARON ESH
- A Letter
- Charlie Constantinou
- DERRICK
- EWUSIE
- JOHANNA PARV
- Karoline Vitto
- Kazna Asker
- LIZA KEANE
- LUEDER
- LOUTHER
- Oscar Ouyang
- OCTI
- Pauline Dujancourt
- Steve O Smith
- The Ouze
- The Winter House
- TOLU COKER
- YAKU
DiscoveryLAB
DiscoveryLAB will also be making a return this year. Spotlighting new and upcoming designers in an immersive showcasing environment, DiscoveryLAB sees creatives break the boundaries between fashion, music, art, photography and performance while presenting exciting new projects.
There will be a number of DiscoveryLAB presentations available to view online on Monday 23 February, from the likes of:
- ZIMISM
- Raquel de Carvalho
- Dean Lap Chan
- YONZU
- Zhakan Studio
- KEIGAKEIGA
- APAR
Richard Quinn SS26
New Sustainability Requirements
In a bid to accelerate its sustainability efforts across the British fashion industry, the BFC has partnered with Copenhagen Fashion Week to roll out a new Sustainability Requirements framework for London Fashion Week. Starting with the BFC’s NEWGEN cohort, the initiative sets out Minimum Standards (where applicants must provide an answer to 18 statements on key sustainability considerations) by which designers will have to comply to remain on the London Fashion Week schedule. Following a piloting period in 2025, the requirements come into full effect in January 2026.
You can read more about the new Sustainability Requirements here.
City Wide Celebration
Don’t stress if you can’t make it to the shows – there are plenty of events open to the public this season, courtesy of the BFC’s City Wide Celebration. This curated programme of unique experiences and activations is open to the public throughout September, and includes pop-ups, shopping hubs, panel discussions and more.
See all the London Fashion Week events that are open to the public here.
EXPLORE
For more details about London Fashion Week AW26 (including the full schedule), please visit londonfashionweek.co.uk
