How to do London Fashion Week in Style
How to do London Fashion Week in Style
So as most of my readers will know, I’ve been doing the international fashion weeks circuit for quite a few years now. I used to be the fashion editor at Elle Magazine about 5 years ago (wow how time flies), so it started there and the last few years I’ve been doing the bi-annual fashion week circuit as a blogger and influencer.
But surprisingly to me, I actually got asked a few times recently, what does fashion week mean and what is it actually for? So here are a few fun facts about London Fashion Week and the international events in general, which you may or may not know:
- There are four major fashion weeks which come around every year in February and again in September.
- The cycle starts with New York Fashion week to kick things off, followed by London Fashion Week, Milan then Paris.
- What’s it for? Fashion designers from all over the world flock to these weeks to showcase their collections for the coming season, so in Feb we’ll view Autumn Winter collections and in September we see the Spring Summer ranges.
- Who goes? Typically the terrain of international fashion editors who will compile style guides and trend predictions for the coming season, based on the shows they’ve seen. It’s also for buyers of high fashion stores and online boutiques, who ‘buy in’ what their stores will be selling in the coming months, which you and I, the consumers, will then be able to buy. On top of that the lavish event opens its doors to celebrities, models, the glitterati and various influencers.
Top image: Girl squad from left to right – Lissy Roddy, Lorna Luxe, Bonnie Rakhit and Anisa Sojka styling out our Mercedes G-wagons which chauffeured us around fashion week
The LFW HQ is currently at Store Studio on The Strand in London. This is the central hub for the shows, with the main ‘on schedule’ catwalk based here. On top of that there are stands and presentation areas for the designers to show off their wares inside the venue. And during the week itself there are hundreds of event, parties, store openings and pop ups all creating more hype around LFW.
I’ve been working in the fashion industry for a long time, so I know the ins and outs of the best shows, parties, presentations and how to get invited. Quintessentially LFW is a closed event for fashion industry insiders, but over the last few years it’s gained more interest from the media and with it, an influx of new bloggers, influencers and instagrammers. But how do you get invited to shows and be part of the action?
Above Bonnie wears full blue dress outfit by Silk Fred and above star jumpsuit and metallic boots by Silk Fred, purple metallic bomber by Guess.
How to be involved?
So the way to gain access to these shows and the stands is by applying for accreditation on the main LondonFashionWeek website, but you need to have a relevant interest in fashion, work on magazine/ retail outlet or have a following on your social channels/ be a proper acknowledged blogger to fit the criteria on the London Fashion Week website. This will help to have your application approved. If you don’t gain accreditation (and it’s quite hard to tick all of the boxes) and also none of the tickets you requested from the website are sent to you, there are still ways to feel like part of it.
Look at the schedules online and see which shows you might be interested and apply for tickets with the designer contacts directly. At the side of the main entrance there is usually another entrance (there is at Store Studio) where if a show doesn’t fill up, they sometimes take walk ins, but if the PETA supporters are out in force then security is heightened. Also this isn’t guaranteed and the main shows do get very busy.
A more successful alternative and it’s also an official event, you can buy tickets for London Fashion Week Festival which takes place a day or so after the official LFW. It’s housed in the same venue and is open for the public. There are hundreds of talks, catwalk shows, presentations and shopping opportunities to be had and it’s a really fantastic and exciting fashionista experience.
It’s a much better way to really feel like part of the action!
I hope that you found this blog even remotely helpful or interesting, if you did please leave a comment below.
Keep scrolling to see my photo diary and daily outfits from London Fashion Week this season. Enjoy!
Lights, Camera, Action
Here I am, below, with the lovely Victoria from In The Frow, sat in the frow at the Henry Holland show. Bonnie wears white jumper dress by Asos, blue coat by Amanda Wakeley, pink bag by Christian Louboutin and metallic boots by Silk Fred.
Day 3: Bonnie wears playsuit by 10 store, blazer by The Kooples, bag and boots by Christian Louboutin, shearling by Jigsaw.
It’s The Style Traveller G-wagon!
During London Fashion Week Mercedes Benz very kindly gave me a g-wagon and driver to get me to and from the shows. It was a total god send as sometimes the events can be all over town. I LOVE that they wrote my name on it too!!
My Favourite Show: One of my favourite designers is Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, it’s always such a feminine yet edgy show (pictured above). This season I was lucky enough to be asked to wear a Studio by Preen dress to the show (available at Debenhams, pictured below).
I love how floaty it is, Preen are such masters in pattern cutting, it’s the kind of dress that makes you feel like you’re walking the catwalk even if you’re walking down your local high street.
#GirlSquad
A lot of this season I spent with my fellow blogger girl squads! Pictured above me and the gorgeous Lorna Luxe at the Fyodor Golan show. And below at the Sophia Webster event with (left to right) Sinead Crowe, Felicia Evalina, Maja Malnar, Miss Gunner, Me and Lauren Crowe.
I loved the Tata Naka presentation which was inspired by Ukrainian national costume.
The gorgeous guys at Christian Louboutin gave me these incredible heels to wear to LFW! In Love!!
One of the most fun event of the week was the Sophia Webster presentation in the ball room at the Cafe Royal which was taken over by burlesque, tango dancers, models on giant glitter balls and a DJ with full set of percussion drums. It was a super glam event.
That’s all from London Fashion Week for now. Next stop Monaco.
Huge thanks to all my girls who made London Fashion Week so fun for me, here are their instagram handles: Lissy Roddy, Lorna Luxe, Anisa Sojka, InTheFrow, Miss Gunner, Felicia Evalina, Sinead Crowe, Lauren Crowe and Maja Malnar.
And a huge huge thank you to Mercedes Benz for ferrying me around all week in the G-wagon!!
My You Tube LFW vlog will be out soon so please go check it out!
Bon voyage xx
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I was there in Milan last year during the fashion week and could completely relate to this article. Just love your attires and the poise with which you carry yourself :)
Oh thank you so much x
I love the striped outfit you wore to the Preen show. It is one of my life bucket list items to be able to attend fashion week once!
You must one day x
I think I’m most jealous of the car – fashion week is so hard on your feet! And dying over those gifted Loubs! Sophia always has the best presentations – looks like this one didn’t disappoint. You and your girl squad all look amazing!
XO
http://www.lehoarder.com/
Haha yes tell me about it!
Aw I am so glad that you had a good time at London fashion week as well, I was there and had a lot of fun. Your girl squad is so cute and it’s nice that you met Victoria from The Frow as well. I love that the Mercedes was even personalized with your name on it. You must have felt so happy to work with Mercedes Benz.
Yes I loved it, was so fun x
I am glad that you had a good time!Out of all the outfits that you featured at London Fashion Week, which would you say was your favourite assemble and why? Also are you enjoying the snow or are you travelling this week?x
I love those silver boots in the picture….would love to get one of those for my next party!
They’re fab aren’t they!
How amazing, you live upto the spirit of true fashion. Though I have never been to LFW, the event looks full of glam and definitely the styling guide goes with it. every look seems to be too classy!
WOW! These are some wonderful tips from an insider who has actual knowledge of the whole event. Loved all your outfits, and that Merc looks so rad! <3 Thanks for sharing these!
What a fun time of the year, I’d love to attend London fashion week and get dolled up for it! I’d love to just go to London anytime of the year really, it’s on my bucket list ; )
thanks for the 411, giving me the inside scoop!
Wow you did have a great time didn’t you? And those shoes! I have shoe envy!
I’m not a fashion addicted but I’m a traveller and a society lover. So I like so much when there is a “FILL THE BLANKS” fashion week (Paris, London, Milan, NYC…) because the whole city is turned into a catwalk and people feel finally free to express through fashion
Wow you lucky thing! I love all your looks. Especially the Christian Louboutin shoes you had on.
I love your starry dress in the second and last photo! So pretty! LFW sounds intense! (In a good way!) and its lovely to hear that there are so many opportunities for collaboration and networking!
Wow you look like you had a great time! And what better game to do it with than a lovely girl gang?!! All of these Styles look amazing, I know that I could definitely not pick just one to wear! Great tips here.
love this Bonnie, Ruch a good read and love all the pictures!!! thanks for playing with me xxxxx
Hehe !! thanks for the love hon!! see you soon x
Looks like you had a fab experience.. So many eclectic styles and some very bold fashion statements on show :) x
Wow thanks x
It does look like such an amazing event. Most of the local bloggers I know are really about the London one, but they have a lot of similar stories about how to participate and what things they love about it. Some of the outfits here are incredible and you are gorgeous as always.
I would love to experience London Fashion Week one day! Until then, I will live vicariously through your fabulous photos. Looks fabulous!
haha please do x
London Fashion Week sure looks like a glamorous event. I always love your outfits, Bonnie. They are always so chic, elegant and feminine. I wish I was young again so I could wear clothes like that again. Anyway, thank you for sharing your experience. As always, wishing you to go and glam on! :)
Thank you for the inside look into London Fashion Week! I’m not exactly a fashionista but Fashion Week does fascinate me. I would love to go someday. You & your friends look amazing.
You must go someday it’s so fun x
Bonnie Rakhit, thanks!And thanks for sharing your great posts every week!
I’ll keep on doing it then!! :)
You look great in all these outfits. I missed LFW this season but it’s one of my favourites of the 4 – plus I absolutely LOVE London. :) The squad photo at the end is amazing. You girls look great! These are great shots at the shows and it sounded amazing! :)
Xo,
Miki
http://mikialamode.com
Thanks Miki! You’ll have to come next time x
I do enjoy attending the London fashion week, good time to catch up with so many bloggers and spot kickass street style!
I love your sense of fashion. So pretty. I love those outfits, as in, ALL. Wish I could wear the way you do.
Thanks so much xx
I love the silver boots, and iconic light gray coat, and the styling is very innovative. did you style this outfit wow!!
Oh thanks so much x
Seeing your fabulous outfits, I remember the movie – The Devil Wears Prada. Thanks for all these tips. Attending the London Fashion Week is in my bucket list!
Haha I loved Devil wears Prada!
You look gorgeous in all these outfits dear. Fashion week is a dream for me
Thanks so much x
Look at those gorgeous outfits! Thank you for the inside perspectives.
Thanks so much