In September 2009 it will be time to raise a glass in commemoration of 25 years of London Fashion Week (LFW), and the British Fashion Council which organize it.
Given the current economic climate, celebrations have been deliberately muted but several prestige designers make a welcome return in honor of the 25th anniversary.
There is also a new venue this year — Somerset House, the old Public Records Office, which provides a more central location and a landmark building offering a slice of British history.
Designers Return to London Fashion Week - September 18-22 2009
London Fashion Week regularly plays host to designers like Vivienne Westwood, Christopher Kane, Erdem, Marios Schwab, Betty Jackson, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen.
However this year UK label Burberry Prorsum will return from Milan to London to showcase their Spring 2010 collection and Pringle of Scotland also makes a welcome appearance.
Jonathan Sanders and Matthew Williamson also return “home” after several seasons absence to celebrate the Council’s 25th anniversary. Designer duo Clements Ribeiro (Inacio Ribeiro and Suzanne Clements) also return. This husband and wife team, who made their fashion debut over a decade ago have not shown at LFW since 2005.
London Fashion Week Spring 2010 Schedule
Kicking off London Fashion Week Spring 2010 is designer is Paul Costello, at 10.00am on Friday September 18th 2009. The coveted slot of last show of the week is Burberry on Tuesday 22nd 2009 at 6.30pm, with Erdem, Roksanda Ilincic earlier in the day. Sunday 20th 2009 sees Matthew Willamson and Vivienne Westwood Red label, and Monday 21st 2009 includes shows from Luella, Christopher Kane and House of Holland.
Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the British Fashion Council
The 25th anniversary of the British Fashion Council is being celebrated through 2009. The Council’s role, in addition to organizing London Fashion Week is to develop and support designers. According to Harold Tillman, the chairman of the British Fashion Council, “September's London Fashion Week is shaping up to be the best, busiest and most exciting yet."
London Fashion Weekend - September 24–27, 2009
Whilst London Fashion Week is strictly a trade event by invitation only, London Fashion Weekend, which follows immediatley on from it, is more of a shopping event and is open to the public. The event takes place from September 24th to 27th, 2009. This is a forum where consumers can shop from the designers of London Fashion Week caliber at reduced prices and includes (ticket permitting) a catwalk show which showcases Fall Winter 2009 trends as well as previewing some of the looks for Spring Summer 2010.
Tickets range from £12.50 to £37.50 dependent on category (black, silver, gold) and are sold on a first-come-first served basis. For those who love fashion this is a great opportunity to soak up the atmosphere connected with LFW and its 25th birthday.