LONDON FASHION WEEK IS GETTING A REFRESH
The British Fashion Council (BFC) has just announced that London Fashion Week’s June iteration is getting a fresh coat of paint. Formerly a weekend riddled with menswear fashion shows and parties, the new concept, which will run from June 7 to June 9 2024, will now aim to highlight the capital’s role as a leading influence on fashion’s ever-evolving industry through a series of activations, exhibitions, talks and more.
Taking over the revered Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), the BFC will host a carefully curated programme exploring three communities known for their influence on creative endeavours. Traversing an exhibition, panel discussions and cultural events, the non-profit will explore self-love within Black cultures, South Asian cultures with a focus on pattern, textile and craftsmanship, and queer cultures, where young voices from the trans community in particular will be platformed. Aiming to amplify London’s unique creative clan, the narratives championed during these events will focus on diverse British brands and designers, to focus on the depth and breadth of menswear business in the UK.
Presented by 1664 Blanc, the weekend will carry forward the BFC’s year-long celebrations of London Fashion Week’s 40th anniversary, with a retrospective installation set to highlight its global and cultural significance. Aptly titled 40 for 40, a central tenet of the schedule will be the 40 activations hosted by British brands at the Groucho Club on June 9, which will include catwalks, presentations and buzzy events.
Speaking on the change, BFC chief executive Caroline Rush comments, “The new format is a direct result of the conversations we are continuously having with the BFC community (designers, media, UK and international retailers). We want to ensure we are recognising the business needs of our designers and providing them with a global showcasing platform which is both relevant and beneficial. This iteration of LFW is a really exciting opportunity to future-proof and innovate the UK’s fashion showcasing capabilities and highlight the city’s point of difference during men’s fashion month.” To discover more, click here.
Photography by Christina Fragkou at Ahluwalia AW24.
