London Calling: What to Watch at Fashion Week SS26
- Mimi Piqua
- Sep 18
- 5 min read
London Fashion Week (SS26)
London fashion week starts today, the 18th of September. Potentially the most anticipated week for me and my cohort, because as a London based model myself it is usually packed with lots of tiring days full of castings, as well as some brutal rejection, sometimes a booked show, and almost always very late nights.
However this year, I've decided to step away from the limelight for only this one season and instead focus my energy into documenting LFW and all the amazing shows coming up!
Since SS25, just last year, there has been an 18% increase in designers at LFW. With over 70 designers showcasing their physical collections and over 23 digital collections set to feature over the next 5 days. London FW is going to feature a ridiculously large range of talent and I'm very excited to observe and report all that happens.
London SS26 collection features a range of labels, from Burberry, Simone Rocha, Roksanda to more emerging names and debuting designers. I’ve made a personalised colour coded pdf of the schedule with my recommendations on what you must see, and which shows to prioritise this LFW.
Here she is:
And if you want the plain version and don’t care for my personalisation, here is the original schedule pdf: London Fashion Week schedule
Can’t‑Miss Shows
London always tends to carry more English designers than anything else - I mean it is London. The established, globally recognised names that get featured in publications such as Vogue, Elle, Harpers Bazaar etc. Below are a few of the shows I am most anticipating watching this year:
Harris Reed - September 18th @7pm - Theatrical, gender-fluid glamour meets couture craftsmanship, Reed themselves has an exquisite and quite theatrical fashion sense so it makes sense that Reed’s shows are more than just fashion, they’re stories.
Paul Costelloe - September 19th @9am - A long-standing LFW favourite, known for refined tailoring and bold silhouettes that blend classic British heritage with modern flair. Paul Costelloe I have casted for before and may I just say - wow.
JW Anderson x BFC Special Evening Event - September 19th @8pm - Not just a show, but more of a cultural event: JW Anderson reimagines his brand with BFC’s support, setting the tone for creative renewal. Keeping more of his attention and building the anticipation for his main focus - his debut womenswear collection at Dior (which i cannot contain my excitement for!!)
Roksanda - September 20th @5pm - Celebrating its 20th anniversary this season, expect more bold colour palettes and sculptural silhouettes that honour its legacy.
Emilia Wickstead - September 21st @2pm - Another returning favourite, known for refined tailoring, ladylike elegance, and polished simplicity. I almost walked for Emilia Wickstead last year for S/S25, the dresses were artistic masterpieces (unfortunately my lack of curves made the dress too big and the show was the next day - CRYING)
Simone Rocha - September 21st @4pm - A global favourite, known for her intricate and feminine aesthetic - emotional, dramatic, and unmissable. Simone Rocha is one of my all time favourite British designers - and she's very sweet in person! My claim to fame is that she once labelled me - “the girl in the big boots” at a casting once.
Marques A’lmeida - September 21st @3pm - Expect raw-edged denim, rebellious silhouettes, and a distinctly youthful energy as this duo continues to champion experimental London fashion with a punch of 2010s nostalgia and Gen-Z grit. This is a standout show for those who love directional, subversive fashion - so definitely worth highlighting there.
Erdem - September 21st @6pm - Poised to deliver romantic tailoring and refined femininity, always a favorite of editors and many celebrities.
Burberry - September 22nd @7pm - The most iconic British house, that consistently blends tradition with innovation. Burberry always brings exclusivity and British charm to their shows, and as a model who’s previously worked for them (but isn’t tall enough to walk for them) I am always in anticipation of their next collection.
Emerging & Debuting Designers
Fresh faces of fashion coming to LFW, these are the voices shaping tomorrow (hopefully), designers who aren't known yet and may never be if these collections don’t go well, no pressure guys:
Talia Byre - September 21st @10am - Launching her first official London runway; expect conceptual depth and emotional resonance.
Conner Ives - September 22nd @2pm - Traditionally a February fixture, now making a high-profile September return after launching his politically vibrant “Protect the Dolls” line. Which helped to keep trans rights a focus as all proceeds from the collection went to TransLifeline.
Fashion East Showcase - September 19th @4pm - The home of emerging voice bombs; expect runways taken over by the next generations favourites like Fashion East’s new cohort.
Dreaming Eli, Richard Quinn, Rory William Docherty, Susan Fang, Nanushka - A powerful cohort of other emerging and developing designers also showing their collections at LFW, I'm excited to see if they can bring amazing work and make it big time in the most competitive industry in the world!
Although London is one of the world’s major fashion capitals, I think LFW, much like NYFW, often gets slightly overlooked compared to Paris and Milan. This season runs from Thursday 18th to Monday 22nd September, and while it’s only five days, it still packs a punch. Personally, I’m most excited for the weekend shows, with Burberry and Simone Rocha right at the top of my list!
As a model myself, let me treat you to a quick personal anecdote from Fashion Week 2023 - just to give you a taste of the industry's brutal side. I went to a casting the day before a show. Soon after, my agent called to say I was 99% confirmed!!! I was ecstatic, told my parents, mentally prepped, spent the night doing skincare, practising my walk, and obsessively refreshing my inbox for the call sheet.
It got to 11pm that evening and the show was at 10am the next morning. It was getting a bit ridiculous by this point so I phoned her and said “um hello where is it?” to which my agent responded and said, "I'm so sorry but the show needed more diversity so they have chosen a different model.”
As a white woman, I’m aware of my privilege and truly support diversity in fashion. All races, sizes, and identities deserve representation. But it hit close to home when I was dropped from a show purely to meet a diversity quota. That, to me, isn’t real inclusion. Diversity shouldn’t be about ticking boxes - it should be a natural result of genuinely valuing different people and perspectives!
But enough about past experiences! I’ve had equally positive moments during LFW, including some really cool castings over this past week for the LFW shows! It's all very last minute so I'll have to keep you updated as and when I find out if I booked any of them!
However, even if I don't I'm happy to sit back and watch, hoping this season provides me with enough inspiration to build my next dream wish-list.
Burberry is one I'm most excited for on the final day (22nd September!). Burberry is the epitome of British luxury. It’s such a British staple, and I’m hoping the collection is classically Burberry. It's so important that a brand has such a strong vision that you can instantly recognise each piece, collection, season etc.
Simone Rocha is another designer who nails this. She’s known for ultra-feminine colour palettes and luxurious fabrics like silk, and her designs always ooze elegance and sophistication. Drawing in celebrities such as Kylie Jenner and Kelly Rutherford to wear her collections, and I’m eager to see what this next collection brings. Can it top my favourite of hers - S/S24? With its silky pinks and reds, ribbons, and pleating? It was pure beauty. Let’s hope she can outdo herself!
Only time will tell, and I will be back in no time, reporting daily with only the best and worst moments over the 5 day extravaganza! Will the designers pull it out of the bag? Can LFW beat NYFW?! We will see...
With love, mimi
xox
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