London Fashion Week AW20: Runway Highlights

Next season’s trends are in.

Promoting sustainability, positivity and creativity, London Fashion Week battled against the wet and windy weather of Storm Dennis at the weekend to showcase the up and coming styles of Autumn/Winter 2020.

Hundreds of designers from around the globe flocked to the capital to debut their latest collections over a period of 5 days, for one of the most integral events in the annual fashion calendar.

As the fashion industry braces itself for Brexit, the catwalks were flooded with quintissentially British collections, taking inspiration from the Royal family and some of the most iconic British styles. Showcased alongside the likes of Victoria Beckham’s 90’s inspired looks and Richard Quinn’s bold & bright prints, February 2020’s LFW demonstrated the most exciting and innovative talent in the industry.

Read on for our LFW AW20 highlights to get some inspiration for your winter wardrobe…

1. Roksanda

Bringing a much-needed injection of colour to brighten up a dull and dreary weekend in London, Serbian designer Roksanda Ilinčić’s collection lit up the catwalk.

With a strong emphasis on key pieces that are transitional throughout seasons, Roksanda’s collection encompassed faux leather trousers and quilted shirts alongside stunning, floor length gowns in an array of contrasting and vibrant colours.

Think beautifully flowing layers, tonnes of volume, elegant shapes and Roksanda’s looks teamed with her visually spectacular show stole the runway.

2. Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham’s AW20 collection managed to make a bold statement with a very simple concept. Reinventing the hemline, Beckham introduced just-above-the-knee skirts, paired with Spice Girls inspired platform thigh-high boots.

In contrast to some of the more extravagant looks, Victoria Beckham’s minimalistic collection featuring velvet blazers, long-sleeved and high-neck dresses and collared shirts offered a refreshing way to enhance and modernise every day wear.

Of her collection, Victoria Beckham said: “I’ve been wanting to do something shorter for a while – I know that I still want to wear a shorter length sometimes. So I’ve been trying to figure out how do I do that in a cool way. And I’m a minimalist, so I’m always looking for ways to make clothes that are exciting but still wearable. I want to challenge myself, not challenge the customer. Clothes shouldn’t make life difficult.”

3. Burberry

Showcasing a record breaking 100 looks at LFW AW2020, Burberry enlisted the help of top celebrity models including Bella & Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner to debut their refreshing new looks,  all while retaining that classic Burberry style.

Riccardo Tisci based his 2020 collection on his nostalgic memories of studying in London back in the late 90’s, and each piece represented life early on in his career, as an emerging fashion designer.

From oversized coats and puffer jackets to tailored blazers and cigarette trousers, the brand’s signature check was an expected and consistent theme throughout the collection which included everything from smart workwear to casual street fashion.

4. Tommy Hilfiger

Tommy Hilfiger put on a star-studded show with the likes of Jourdan Dunn, Alessandra Ambrosio, Pixie Geldof, Georgia May Jagger and more, with Naomi Campbell opening to debut his latest colllaboration with Lewis Hamilton, TOMMYNOW.

An eye-catching collection of casual streetwear from tracksuits to trainers in neon hues and Tommy Hilfiger style nautical motifs, stars and stripes took centre stage on the runway in his extravagant show. Behind all the glitz and the glam was a very important message regarding the collection, which has been created with a huge focus on sustainability in mind.

Carefully designed and environmentally considered, over 75% of the collection was made using 100% organic cotton, recycled materials, low-impact denim options and down alternatives. With such a crucial focus on sustainability and the environment in fashion at this current time, Hilfiger’s conscious effort sent an impactful message across London Fashion Week.

5. Erdem

Erdem put on a dazzling display of over-the-top embroidery, feathered headdresses and glamorous satin puff-sleeve dresses with his ’30s inspired collection for autumn/winter.  Taking inspiration from Robin Muir’s Bright Young Things exhibition, the luxurious collection was all things romantic and decadent, with an old school party dressing vibe.

Explaining the influence and reasoning behind the feminine, wearable collection and overall style of his show, Erdem Moraligolu said: “Comparisons between the 1920s and the 2020s are beginning to surface in fashion—the Deco geometrics, the glitter. For Erdem, the resonances were personal, lodged in the knowledge of how Cecil Beaton first photographed his sisters Baba and Nancy, dressing them, rigging up sets at home, and making his fantasies come true. ‘It spoke to me, because in his early years he created who he would become. He wasn’t born into that family of aristocracy. He wasn’t a socialite; he was a middle-class kid with parents who had boring middle-class backgrounds.

“It reminded me of how I photographed my sister, Sara, up against the wall in our basement, with a disposable camera, and then had those pictures printed to make up my portfolio application for Ryerson University.”

London Fashion Week is a twice yearly event, operating alongside New York, Paris and Milan as part of the Fashion Week Big Four. The next event will be held in September, showcasing upcoming styles for Spring/Summer 2021.

Read more – London Fashion: The history of the British fashion capital

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