London Fashion Week: Five shows to see, from Burberry to JW Anderson

Fashion week number one of the year has commenced in London. Read on for our favourite shows this time around

Models present Burberry creations for spring/summer during last year’s show (AFP/Getty)

As New York Fashion Week comes to a close, the well-heeled style mavens and fashion editors are descending upon London for its biannual, five-day showcase of next season’s collections.

Running from 16 to 20 February, the line-up looks set to deliver a parade of cutting-edge creativity, from both homegrown and international talents.

And, despite the fact that some big names are missing from the schedule this time round – including Topshop, Emporio Armani, Versus and Tommy Hilfiger – there’s an eclectic mix of young, fresh designers and industry stalwarts to sustain its buzz.

Here, we round up some of the best shows to look out for.

Burberry

A twist on Burberry’s classic tartan, this design incorporates rainbow colours in a nod to the LGBT+ community

Perhaps the most anticipated event of the season, Burberry’s chief creative officer Christopher Bailey bids farewell to the British brand, after 17 years, with his final show.

The designer has already hinted as to what we can expect by revealing that the brand’s signature check has been given a bright makeover.

Bailey is dedicating his final collection to LGBT+ youth by reimagining the print to incorporate the rainbow flag – an emblem that has become an international symbol of pride and diversity – which will feature heavily throughout.

JW Anderson

JW Anderson’s upcoming show will see male and female models strut their stuff side by side

The ever-changing fashion show cycle has been hit with a few departures this season but, while JW Anderson remains on the schedule, all is not as it seems.

This time round, Northern-Irish designer Jonathan Anderson is switching things up by presenting both his menswear and womenswear collections at the same time in his very first mixed-gender format.

Halpern

Adwoah Aboah quite literally sparkles in Halpern at the 2017 Fashion Awards (Rex)

Tipped as fashion’s one to watch for some time now, Michael Halpern has dazzled the fashion scene with his sequin-smothered creations, and we expect the coming campaign will be no exception.

The man responsible for decking model of the moment Adwoah Aboah in head-to-toe sparkle for the 2017 Fashion Awards, this collection promises to be his biggest production to date.

Mulberry

Ultraviolet: a model presents a Mulberry look during last year’s autumn/winter show in London (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

Returning to London after a brief hiatus, Mulberry is back in town, but not quite as we know it.

While there will still be a traditional runway offering, the fashion house is also hosting a week-long series of events at Spencer House that are open to the public and free to attend. Visitors can expect talks, interactive workshops, guided tours of the eighteenth-century stately home and a pop-up retail space.

Gareth Pugh

Gareth Pugh is shaking things up with his trademark inflated clothing and angular styles

One of the industry’s most progressive designers, Gareth Pugh is defiantly changing our concept of fashion and the traditional runway show. Case in point: last season’s offering saw him showcase his latest collection at the largest cinema screen in Europe – the BFI Imax screen in Waterloo – which is the height of four double-decker buses.

His show was also bombarded by an onslaught of angry anti-fur protestors brandishing placards and megaphones. Will his latest production create just as much commotion?