The city of London is brimming with energy as it gets ready to welcome members of the media, buyers, and VIP customers from around the globe for London Fashion Week 2024.
London, a renowned global fashion hub, has always been known for championing creativity, diversity, and innovation. So, this season, wherever London Fashion Week may take you, Trainline can make your journey fabulous.
Image Credit: British Fashion Council
Here’s our essential guide to London Fashion Week 2024.
What is London Fashion Week?
London Fashion Week is a biannual fashion showcase hosted by the British Fashion Council (BFC) since 1984.
As one of the “Big Four” fashion weeks, London Fashion Week follows New York Fashion Week and precedes Milan Fashion Week, making London the first European stop to kickstart the continent’s fashion week season.
When is London Fashion Week in 2024?
Designers will showcase their women’s fall/winter 2024/2025 ready-to-wear collections from Feb. 16 to 20, 2024.
London Fashion Week lineup: what to expect in 2024
This year, London Fashion Week celebrates its 40th anniversary (LFW40), so expect the usual round of fashion week parties to be especially festive this season.
And to honor this momentous LFW40 milestone, some of London’s most notable sights, like the London Eye and Royal Opera House, will glow in green on Thursday, Feb. 15 from 6 pm.
London’s most anticipated shows remain JW Anderson and the iconic British fashion house Burberry. Another highlight includes the return of British luxury goods brand Dunhill to the London schedule, and in celebration of its new creative director, Simon Holloway.
London Fashion Week regulars on the calendar include Roksanda, Erdem, Molly Goddard, Ahluwalia, Richard Quinn, Emilia Wickstead, and Simone Rocha, who is fresh off the Paris haute couture runway as Jean Paul Gaultier’s latest guest designer for the spring/summer 2024 season.
Then of course there’s the Central Saint Martins MA 2024 fashion show, another London Fashion Week staple that draws big crowds.
Fun fact: The first designers to show at London Fashion Week included the likes of Betty Jackson, Hardy Amies, Jasper Conran, Zandra Rhodes, and John Galliano.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Mark A Paulda. Image Location: Somerset House, London, UK
Where does London Fashion Week take place?
While most fashion week events are invitation-only, keep your eyes peeled throughout the week for exciting street style moments across the city, as magazine editors and other fashionable guests zip from one event to another.
Below are some of the hotspots for London Fashion Week 2024.
Somerset House
Closest station: Temple (London Underground)
Since the 2000s, Somerset House has remained a central fashion week London location, but like most fashion weeks in major fashion capitals, the London event is spread across several sites in the city.
180 Studios
Closest station: Temple (London Underground)
Another hub, known as 180 Studios and located at 180 The Strand, is the BFC’s own space designated for catwalk shows, designer presentations, and additional fashion week events. Soho House, a member’s club known as a meeting spot for creative talent worldwide, also has a nearby location called 180 House.
Image Credit and Location: The Cinema at Selfridges, London, UK
The Cinema at Selfridges
Closest station: Bond Street (London Underground)
While an invite is required to attend the BFC London Fashion Week Opening Party, you might see stylish stars arriving at this luxurious venue.
Heathrow Airport
Closest stations: Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, Heathrow Terminal 4, and Heathrow Terminal 5
That’s right! Kick start your London Fashion Week visit from the minute you arrive at London’s Heathrow Airport.
Here, you can purchase a limited edition BFC NEWGEN 30 luxury tote bag, featuring signature prints by Christopher Kane, Giles Deacon, Halpern, and Mary Katrantzou, available at Heathrow shops including Harrods, WHSmith, and World Duty Free.
Image Credit: Shaun James Cox, British Fashion Council. Image Location: London Stock Exchange, London, UK
London Stock Exchange
Closest station: St Paul’s (London Underground)
In celebration of LFW40 and to mark the enormous economic contributions of the fashion industry, the BFC will open the London Stock Exchange on Thursday Feb. 15, 2024.
Interesting fact: According to 2023 Mintel data, UK womenswear sales are worth an estimated £31.9 billion (~$40.2 billion).
10 Downing Street
Closest station: Westminster (London Underground)
To wrap up this LFW40 season, the BFC will host a fashion-forward afternoon tea at 10 Downing Street, strictly by invitation, within the highly secured official residence and executive office of the UK Prime Minister.
London Calling
Download the Trainline app and put together a stylish London itinerary to match your wardrobe. Ready for your next elegant adventure? Why not Paris Fashion Week to conclude this season’s leg of European shows? Besides, it’s easy: a speedy Eurostar train can get you from London to Paris in a New York minute!
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Thomas Barwick