15 Designers To Have On Your Radar At London Fashion Week
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1 week ago
London Fashion Week kicks off its SS26 season next month, with a schedule packed with some of the best designers from Britain and beyond
Noticed London looking a little more stylish than usual? You’ll have London Fashion Week (and its schedule of famous designers) to thank for that. But who should we be keeping tabs on this season? These are the haute names to know.
A Guide To London Fashion Week
How Are Designers Picked For LFW?
Those who make it onto the LFW schedule are selected by the British Fashion Council. With limited slots on offer, all designers are invited to apply each season regardless of whether they have had a show before. Once the applications window closes, an industry panel selects successful applicants for the upcoming season.
The eligibility criteria includes the following:
- Applicants should be over one year in business
- Collections should consist of ready-to-wear or accessories, not bridalwear or childrenswear
- Applications are reviewed by an industry panel
- Schedule activations are subject to a listing fee
- Digital schedule requires an element of moving content, a lookbook/imagery will not suffice (digital only)
- Digital schedule activations are subject to a listing fee (digital only)
Please note that applications for London Fashion Week SS26 are now closed. You can find out more information about applications at britishfashioncouncil.co.uk
How Many Shows Are There?
This season, there are over 70 in-person catwalk shows, presentations and events set to take place during London Fashion Week.
When Is London Fashion Week SS26?
London Fashion Week SS26 takes place between Thursday 18 and Monday 22 September 2025.
The Designers To Watch At London Fashion Week SS26
Harris Reed
This designer has picked up quite the cult following in recent years. And when he’s not dressing the likes of Florence Pugh, Beyoncé and Harry Styles for the red carpet, you’ll find him prepping collections for his viral LFW shows. Expect a haute couture takeover of a major London hotspot, with elegant designs that feature voluminous silhouettes and intricate detailing.
Paul Costelloe
Quintessentially British style comes in spades when it comes to Paul Costelloe. The Irish-American designer, who has built up his brand for over 45 years, is perhaps best known for being the personal designer to Diana, the Princess of Wales – but these days you can catch him presenting London Fashion Week shows that are big on romance, sophistication and craftsmanship.
Bora Aksu
Bora Aksu knows how to tell a story with his collections. A public favourite since his Central Saint Martins graduate show in 2002, the designer creates whimsically romantic designs that are hyper-feminine and gloriously colourful. Think dainty lace, bejewelled collars, flowing skirts and a sugary colour palette.
READ MORE: Bora Aksu On His AW25 Collection
Emilia Wickstead
If vintage-facing elegance is more your speed, you’ll want to keep an eye out for Emilia Wickstead. The brand, which was set up in 2008, started out as a made-to-measure atelier but quickly grew to encompass RTW, bridal and bespoke. In terms of visuals, Emilia Wickstead is perhaps best known for its craftsmanship, bold colours and elegant designs. Collections from Emilia Wickstead instantly deliver a shot of nostalgia – outfits that fit just as easily in a Golden Age Hollywood movie as they do on the streets of London.
Daniel Fletcher for MITHRIDATE
Following his runway debut at MITHRIDATE new Creative Director last season, Daniel Fletcher is gearing up to bring another collection to London Fashion Week. Seamlessly blending Chinese craftsmanship with his signature sartorial style – British eccentricities and artful tailoring – this is a show not to miss if you’re craving some fresh wardrobe staples.
READ MORE: Daniel Fletcher On Curating The Royal Ascot Lookbook
Erdem Moralioglu MBE for ERDEM
British designer Erdem Moralioglu MBE is once again set to take the runway by storm at London Fashion Week. A must-watch for the storytelling alone, each collection begins with a meticulously researched narrative – usually with a focus on sharing the untold stories of women, real and fictional – and unfolds into a collection intensely romantic pieces.
Conner Ives
For a splash of Americana, don’t miss Conner Ives. The designer has been a rising star in London’s fashion scene since his graduation from Central Saint Martins in 2020, and continues to impress with his youthful collections inspired by his life in America and the girls and women he grew up with.
Simone Rocha
Puffed sleeves, romantic silhouettes and ultra-feminine detailing? Sounds like Simone Rocha. The Irish designer has been showing her collections as part of London Fashion Week since 2010, and continues to impress with collections comprised of wearable art. Expect dreamy visuals, playful accessories and plenty of theatre.
Richard Quinn
One of the most exciting designers on London’s fashion scene is Richard Quinn. The designer, who is based in the city, set up his label in 2017 (having spent several years prior developing his skills at Christian Dior and Savile Row) and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design in 2018. No one does a show quite like Richard Quinn – especially when it comes to theatrics. Think orchestral live music, ornately decorated backdrops and latex-clad ballet cats (a signature feature at any RQ show), which sets the scene for bold collections decked out in elaborate prints and sculptural silhouettes.
Edeline Lee
Creating collections with the Future Lady in mind, Canadian-British designer Edeline Lee is known for her sophisticated visual style and collaborations with luminaries within the art, theatre, academic and film industries. When it comes to Fashion Week, Edeline Lee tends to push the boat out with theatrical immersive experiences that tumble out onto the streets of London.
READ MORE: Edeline Lee On Her SS25 Collection
Patrick McDowell
Another recent recipient of the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, London-based designer Patrick McDowell has built his brand on the tenets of circular luxury and sustainable design – creating garments that are made to last (with repair and redesign services available, just in case). Drawing on his Liverpool roots, the designer tends to dabble in playful creativity, juxtaposing hyper masculinity and glamour.
READ MORE: Kate Middleton Presents Patrick McDowell With The QEII Award
Huishan Zhang
Chinese-born, London-based designer Huishan Zhang set up his atelier back in 2011 – and, in the years since, has become a favourite on the London Fashion Week schedule. Exploring themes of national identity, the designer’s collections see Eastern heritage meet Western influence, resulting in some seriously dreamy creations. This is a designer for lovers of romance.
Ahluwalia
Priya Ahluwalia is part of a new generation of London-based designers, having made her mark on the industry with deadstock-derived collections that blend design techniques and materials from multiple cultures. Expect a visually rich show, with lots of colour and texture.
Dimitra Petsa for Di Petsa
NEWGEN talent Di Petsa is quickly becoming an A-list favourite, known for her signature ‘wet look’ dresses inspired by classical Greek silhouettes that celebrate the saturated female form. With a client list spanning FKA Twigs, SZA and supermodel sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid, Di Petsa is one of the most culturally relevant designers of the next generation.
READ MORE: 5 Of London’s Up-And-Coming Designers
Daniel Lee for Burberry
Is it really London Fashion Week without Burberry? The heritage label is a regular at LFW, having first secured its headline slot back in 2009. Britishness will no doubt take centre stage, with a presentation of refined tailoring, streamlined silhouettes and contemporary finishes. And with Chief Creative Office Daniel Lee now several seasons into his tenure with the brand, we expect to see the SS26 collection play on those Burberry tenets (and bring some playful eccentricities into the mix).
How To Watch London Fashion Week SS26
While the shows themselves are invite-only events, you can usually catch them streamed online via each brand’s social media channels.
More London Fashion Week Designers
You can see the full lineup for London Fashion Week SS26 via londonfashionweek.co.uk
