Celebrating London Fashion Week’s 40th Anniversary: June Edition
The streets of London have just become more stylish. This past month, specifically from June 7th to June 9th, London has been buzzing with excitement about the revamped London Fashion Week. (LFW) Usually, LFW is held in February and September, to highlight British designers, but this summer’s edition showcases menswear brands and designers. The idea behind LFW this June was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of British Fashion.
@LondonFashionWeek - Instagram
While there was the excitement of seeing many designers’ and their creations, LFW held other events over the three-day event. The main event was to view the exhibition, held at the Institute of Contemporary Art. Along with the exhibition and some runway shows, the event included panel discussions, dinners, and parties. The main idea behind this event was to highlight Black, South Asian, and Queer designers that created an impact during men’s fashion month (that takes place in January and June).
Courtesy of @LondonFashionWeek - Instagram
There were also some celebrities at the event, like British Fashion Council ambassador, David Beckham opened the event along with CEO Carolina Rush. During his opening speech, Beckham acknowledged the creativity and passion of the designers by stating, “These designers are “leading the way when it comes to innovation in menswear design today,” according to a Vogue Business article. In the same article, it was stated that Rush discussed honoring the designers, brands, and communities who are making “... a rich and significant contribution to the British Fashion Industry.”
Carolina Rush and David Beckham - Courtesy of @LondonFashionWeek Instagram
Within the three-day event, attendees and all those following the event could listen to panel discussions with the designers. The idea behind the discussions was to celebrate the different cultures that inspired the creations, and to hear how the designers came up with their artworks. On LFW’s Instagram there was an explanation of how the concept was divided to celebrate the cultures. It was stated that, “This season, we are exploring Black culture centered around self-love; South Asian culture with focus on pattern, textile and craftsmanship; and queer culture, with a spotlight on young creative voices from the trans community.” The three main guest curators (Kai Isaiah Jamal, Simran Randhawa, and Clara Amfo) shared their designs with photographers: Dani d’Ingeo, Tami Aftab, and Stephen Akinyemi.
Curations (Left to Right): Clara Amfo & Kai Isaiah Jamal
Curations (Left to Right): Simran Randhawa & Tami Aftab
Along with the extensive panels, beautiful exhibits, and lively parties the last part of the LFW (June Edition), was the runway shows. Some of the shows included British designers like Denzil Patrick, Charles Jeffrey, and Qasimi. Charles Jeffrey’s brand, and Loverboy, walked the runway for 10th anniversary in a quirky and eclectic collection. The collection was a theatrical and vibrant tribute to “queer time.”
Charles Jeffrey, Loverboy - Daniele Schiavello
Qasimi’s collection was more sentimental and bolder in its runway show. This concept behind the collection was to pay tribute to the brand’s founder, Khalid Al Qasimi. Keeping in touch with the original aesthetic of the brand, Qasimi paid tribute to original designs while adding a fresh look.
Qasimi - Qasimi.com
The up-and-coming designer, Denzil Patrick, also launched a collection, “One More Time with Feeling,” which was a tribute to London’s cultural diversity and the unique “Londoner spirit.” The collection was filled with pleated trousers and structured silhouette jackets, along with many of the models holding instruments. This idea was a play on the “marching band” concept, by including designs that looked like marching band uniforms.
Denzil Patrick, One More Time With Feeling - Daniele Schiavello
The entirety of the event was something to remember. With the amount of creativity and art shared, there was a connection among the events between new designers and their talents. Along with the typical runway shows, the opportunity for the designers to discuss their inspiration and the connection to their culture is truly wonderful. Carolina Rush, British Fashion Council’s CEO, spoke about the event stating, “Fashion weeks are a fantastic moment to celebrate the diversity and impact of British fashion, but we are, of course, being realistic about the challenges that face the sector globally, but particularly in the UK.” Her statement embodies the idea behind the revamped LFW and how to bring attention to the talented designers and those who make an impact.
Article by Gabrielle Ramos, Contributing Editor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Bradley Duley, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
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