London is awaiting the imminent launch of the fashion industry’s Autumn/Winter 2019 collections. This season sees the replacement of ‘London Fashion Weekend’ with the London Fashion Week Festival. This is a great resource for non-industry fashion followers. So if you are going to be spending time in London for business or pleasure this February, where should you go to get the best tastes of London fashion?
Who’s Coming?
For the second season running, Victoria Beckham is showing at London Fashion Week. Dame Vivienne Westwood is also updating her collections. Historically, London is a key platform for emerging talent. So for the event to include these huge names reflects how the giants support those rising fashion stars.
London Fashion Week: Insiders
Featuring catwalk shows, industry trends and the chance to shop from a range of designer pieces, this event takes place at the Store X show space at 180 Strand. It’s a specially curated gallery selection hosting a variety of top British & international brands. Here, you can shop collections of women’s ready-to-wear, accessories and jewellery.
An Insider ticket is £135 and includes a catwalk show attendance, industry talk, plus shopping and lounge access. Or upgrade to front row and VIP access to events and shows with the Front Row ticket at £245.
Where to stay
When Fashion Week can make central London even more hectic than normal, it can be prudent to choose accommodation a little further West. With easy access to the festival location on the Strand, a Kensington luxury serviced apartment is ideal. Belgravia and Chelsea offer more relaxed designer shopping on your doorstep for when you tire of the more frenetic catwalk events. Your concierge service can easily arrange your travel and dining options. Plus, daily maid service will mean that you don’t need to lift a finger. With enough home comforts to make you feel utterly at ease, you will find considerably more space in your serviced apartment than you would in a hotel suite. This all allows you the comfort to spread out and relax after shopping, eating and exploring the latest designs.
Where to Eat
If you want to rub shoulders with the fashion glitterati and celebrity attendees, your choice of restaurant is key. Not far from the Store X space, many attendees will be enjoying the Baptist Grill at L’Oscar. Executive Chef Tony Fleming serves up seasonal British ingredients in a painstakingly restored grade II listed building.
For fashionable Asian cuisine, head up to Mayfair to Sexy Fish. Installations by Frank Gehry and Damien Hirst create fantastical surroundings that are entirely fit for Fashion Week. This spot is always packed to the brim with the stylish crowd so you can celeb spot to your heart’s content!
How about light bites in between a catwalk show and insider talk? The Michelin starred LIMA over in Fitzrovia has opened a ‘younger sibling’ in Covent Garden, not far from the Store X space. LIMA Floral offers a light, contemporary Peruvian menu designed to be enjoyed socially.
Experience Design
How about something completely different? Head over to the Brewer Street Car Park in Soho. Designer Anya Hindmarch celebrates the launch of her Neeson collection by teaming up with art collective Numen/For Use to present ‘The Weave project’. This is an unique art installation taking place during London Fashion Week. Part of the installation is ‘The Tube’, a woven mesh sculpture designed to be climbed and explored, framing new perspectives of London.
Experiencing London fashion takes more than obtaining tickets to catwalk shows. To enjoy London Fashion Week without your room being overtaken by shopping bags, make sure that at the end of the day you kick off your shoes and relax in the space of a central London luxury serviced apartment!
