Are you familiar with Johnny Coca? Have you heard the rumours about Kanye’s secret gig? Got any idea what a coconut curl is?
With London Fashion Week kicking off this Friday (19 February), it’s time to brush up on all the goings-on. Here’s our cheat sheet for everything you need to know.
Alexander McQueen
There’s lots of hype surrounding Alexander McQueen as the brand returns to London for the first time in more than a decade. The house has been showing its collections in Paris ever since Sarah Burton became Creative Director in 2010. With all details about the show firmly under wraps – including the location – we don’t know anything more at this stage but, in true McQueen style, it’s guaranteed to be a showstopper. Watch this space.
Charlotte Olympia
Mulberry and Johnny Coca
Sunday sees the much-anticipated return of Mulberry to the London Fashion Week schedule, under the new Creative Director Johnny Coca (previously of Céline handbag fame). With a reputation for some of the best FROWs of LFW (not to mention dogs on the catwalk), we’re excited to see the label’s new vision.
Caitlin Price
This time last year Caitlin Price had her LFW debut with Fashion East, Lulu Kennedy’s incubator for London’s rising design talent. Jump forward to February 2016 and she’s fast becoming a name to watch, known for her elevated versions of everyday staples: tracksuits, sweatshirts and silk dresses, all reworked to include rich textures and couture techniques.
Kanye West
If you missed the hype surrounding Kanye’s New York show (and how could you?) then now is the time to get one step ahead. He’s reportedly planning a secret performance of his new album, The Life Of Pablo, at some point in London during fashion week. Stay sharp, stay focused, and always sleep with one eye on Kanye’s Instagram.
The New Faces
Off the back of several appearances at NYFW, these are the girls we’re expecting to see lots of in London. Stay tuned, we're predicting big things.
Yasmin Wijnaldum @The Society
Taylor Hill @ IMG
Lululeika Ravn Liep @ Women
Brewer Street Car Park
Following on from the success of the British Fashion Council’s relocation to Soho’s Brewer Street Car Park last season, the venue is even bigger and better this year with the new addition of the ground-floor level. The venue will house 140 designers in the Designer Showrooms, as well as 16 shows in the top-floor space and, very importantly, 25,000 packs of Propercorn.
Lina Stores
Head to Lina Stores, Soho’s famous Italian deli, where Shrimps Designer Hannah Weiland and Set Designer Matilda Goad have created a bespoke window bringing together Weiland's kooky faux-fur accessories with Lina Stores' traditional Italian produce. Conveniently located right next door to the Brewer Street Car Park venue, you’ll also find plenty of fashion-goers queuing around the block for their ‘Fashion Packed Lunch’; on-the-go lunches designed especially with #LFW in mind, and all packaged in their retro-looking (and crucially, highly-Instagrammable) mint green and white striped paper bags. Surely that’s worth a trip in itself?
Ape's Coconut Curls
Move over Popchips, there’s a new fashion crisp in town. It’s no Monster Munch but for something with an ingredient list that reads like Gwyneth’s weekly shopping list (raw coconut and natural rock salt), Ape’s Coconut Curls are surprisingly moreish. And with only 107 calories, they leave plenty of room for the real stuff.
Lavazza x Ryan Lo
How you can get involved with LFW:
Live Streaming
Shows from at least six labels will be screened in four venues across London, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle. Grab a group of friends and make your own FROW.
The Fabulous Fund Fair
If you’ve got £1,000 to spare then you could bag yourself a ticket to one of the most exclusive parties of LFW: Natalia Vodianova and Karlie Kloss’ Fabulous Fund Fair at Old Billingsgate Market in aid of the Naked Heart Foundation. Wondering what £1,000 could possibly buy you at a fun fair? Let’s just say last year Karlie Kloss was selling kisses and cookies to raise money for the charity. Enough said.
London Fashion Weekend
Incase you needed any more incentive to get a ticket to London Fashion Weekend, this year you can expect catwalk shows by London Fashion Week designers including Alice Temperley, Emilia Wickstead, Holly Fulton and Mary Katrantzou;and new for this season,talks from the industry’s most revered and respected including fashion designers Charlotte Dellal of Charlotte Olympia, Emilia Wickstead, Katharine Hamnett, Nicholas Kirkwood and Pam Hogg.Preen By Thornton Bregazzi has been commissioned to design this season’s Weekend limited edition tote bag. And yes, you’re going to want one. The tote, which is included in the Silver, Gold and LUXE ticket packages (but also available to buy at the event on a limited run) was inspired by Preen by Thornton Bregazzi’s SS16 collection and is an affordable way to inject some designer into your wardrobe.The four-day event opens on Thursday 25th February until Sunday 28th February at the Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York Square on the King’s Road.Tickets are now available online: londonfashionweekend.co.uk.We’re offering you 20% off tickets! Simply quote ELLE at the checkout! *Not valid on LUXE or LUXE Premium
The London Fashion Week Experience at Madame Tussauds
Get up, close and personal with Cara and Kendall, AKA CaKe. The London Fashion Week Experience at Madame Tussauds will feature waxworks of Kendall Jenner, Cara Delevingne and Anna Wintour for anyone desperate for a #selfie (your friends will be none the wiser).
British Fashion Council Pinterest
Lose yourself down an internet wormhole starting with the British Fashion Council’s Designers Pinterest Board and swot-up on London's rising talent.
Burberry Regent Street
If you’ve always dreamed of going to a Burberry fashion show then this is the next best thing. Head to the Regent Street flagship store and soak up the atmosphere as the brand live-streams the show from Kensington Gardens.
Sunglasses Hut
Head to the Sunglasses Hut pop-up at Brewer Street Car Park where you can buy a pair of exclusively designed sunglasses by Alexander McQueen, Preen or House of Holland, and have them personalised by one of their on-site artists.
