London Fashion Week‘s second day showcased a tapestry of cultural richness, familial nostalgia, and the dynamic rhythm of city life as emerging designers presented their visions for the upcoming season. Over five days, 60 designers, including rising talents and established brands like Burberry, aim to captivate buyers and fashion influencers.
In its 40th-anniversary edition, the event emphasizes increased diversity and inclusivity, embracing various body shapes, ages, and skin colors among models and designers alike.
Celebrating Multiculturalism
Designer Foday Dumbuya, born in Sierra Leone, closed the day with his Labrum London brand’s “Journey Through Color” collection, paying tribute to the diverse cultures brought by immigrants. The collection featured texture plays, newspaper patterns, and monogram patterns on classic cuts, symbolizing the inspiring stories of immigrants. Models donned suitcases as headgear, symbolizing individuals fleeing conflict while carrying their cultural heritage.
Dumbuya explained, “People move for different reasons, and when they move, they move their culture with them. And we wanted to celebrate that tonight.”
Political messages and calls for tolerance were woven into the designs, with models carrying frames displaying flags from countries involved in key migrations throughout history.
Inspiration from Gaelic Dance
Dublin-born menswear designer Robyn Lynch drew inspiration from her sister’s Gaelic dance career, using old photographs of high kicks, spangled costumes, and passionate spectators. The designs showcased diamante-encrusted jorts, hoodies with elastic toggle belts, and laser-etched jeans in a palette of hickory brown, screen blue, matte black, and oat milk white.
Life in the Metropolis
British designer Ricky Wesley Harriott’s SRVC collection, named “Human Resource,” drew inspiration from modern professional women’s outfits, featuring structured jackets with pronounced shoulders. Models paraded on London’s iconic red double-decker buses, celebrating life in the metropolis with flashy accessories and bold fashion choices.
Fairy Tales and Heritage
Designer Priya Ahluwalia, inspired by her Indian-Nigerian heritage, incorporated Indian and West African fairy tales into her designs, featuring earthy reds, oranges, and blues. The knitwear included corset-like detailing inspired by Netflix’s “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,” reflecting Ahluwalia’s exploration of storytelling’s impact on her life.
In the backdrop of post-Brexit trade barriers and the country’s cost-of-living crisis, London Fashion Week unfolds at a challenging time for Britain’s fashion industry. The event aims to navigate these difficulties, providing a platform for designers to showcase their creativity and resilience.
