London Fashion Week: The five most anticipated shows a/w 2016

Tomorrow marks the beginning of London Fashion Week autumn/winter 2016. Perhaps also the last fashion week to run in this traditional format, with many brands planning changes to their business model in order to adapt to challenges faced in the industry. Here are the most anticipated shows of the season.

Burberry

Naturally. Always the most anticipated show of the London fashion week scene, who can resist a date in Hyde Park? Though as of late, Bailey’s forward-thinking methods have managed to overshadow the setting. Last season the entire collection was previewed on Snapchat 24 hours before the big show, and it was recently announced the brand is doing away with all the diffusion lines; instead showing one main line twice a year.

Erdem

In the midst of designer burnout, one man who claims to enjoy the current industry speed is Erdem Moralioglu telling BoF it helps him move forward as a designer. It certainly shows in the strength of each collection. Season after season Erdem delivers an beautiful collection faithful to his unique aesthetic, a definite one to look forward to.

Alexander McQueen

In recent seasons Sarah Burton has taken a much softer approach to the McQueen aesthetic, exposing more of her own personality with the collections. This Sunday we’ll find out if that will continue, or if we’ll see a revert to more “Lee” design. Either way, a McQueen show is always a pleasure for both critics and the customer.

Gareth Pugh

He can do Edwardian, he can do sci-fi, he can do exquisite tailoring, a rainbow palette, a multitude of textures, Japanese influenced style, a feathered headdress; and he can do them all together if he pleases. Each of Pugh’s collections seem to have a different source of inspiration, a different theme and a new underlying message which has made him one of the most unpredictable LFW installments, albeit one of the most exciting.

Joseph

Luxury essentials are at the heart of the Joseph brand, however Louise Trotter’s coffee-toned pre-autumn collection elevated the label onto a new pedestal. The gender-neutral collection was both beautiful and bewildering, leaving fashion insiders excited to see if the same romantic discorded styling will translate onto the catwalk for RTW this season. It is sure to be a hit.

Kea Bose
Photo: Krisztian Pinter