• Inside London Fashion Week A/W 2026: Shows and Reflections

    As I reflect on London Fashion Week 2026, I feel immensely grateful to have attended a selection of truly inspiring shows, each offering its own distinct perspective on the season ahead. There were, however, several shows I could only admire from afar, following every detail with admiration and a certain wistfulness. Covering these collections has only deepened my appreciation for the artistry and dedication behind each runway moment. It is my sincere hope that in the seasons to come, I might experience even more of these remarkable showcases in person. To witness the craft, atmosphere and emotion of the larger shows first hand would be a privilege, and I look forward to the possibility of being welcomed into those spaces in the future.

    That said, alongside the shows I was fortunate enough to attend in person, there were several collections for which I received press releases and imagery access, an opportunity I value immensely.

    Let’s go!

    FAM IRVOLL

    At London Fashion Week, the FAM IRVOLL AW26 catwalk show came to life as a bold and heartfelt reflection on youth. The Norwegian designer, long celebrated for a maximalist sensibility, presented a collection titled “I USED TO BE SEVENTEEN”, a clear reference to the intensity and romance of adolescence. Bold colour dominated the runway, clashing and harmonising in equal measure, while oversized silhouettes gave each look a bold, confident presence. Playful embellishments and intricate three-dimensional layering created garments that felt almost sculptural. There was an unfiltered quality to the collection, capturing the heightened emotion and fearless self-expression of teenage identity. Each look told its own story, personal yet confident, turning memories into a striking display of colour and shape.

    CLAUDIA WANG AW 26 PRESENTATION 

    Claudia Wang’s A/W26 presentation at London Fashion Week unfolded like a digital fairytale, a delicate yet confident exploration of unbridled femininity. Before the first model stepped onto the runway, the space was already alive with imagination, screens glowing with unicorn illustrations that set a dreamlike tone. The set itself felt immersive and intimate, with plush mounds of pillows scattered across the floor, their covers crafted from the very prints seen in the collection – a soft, fresh colour palette.

    On the runway, that soft, dreamlike mood was reflected in well-balanced silhouettes. I have included some of my favourite pieces. A fitted long-sleeve top with swirling, almost hypnotic prints was paired with a structured pleated skirt, balancing fluid pattern with tailored precision. Another look featured a blush pink dress scattered with delicate floral motifs, voluminous in shape yet tender in mood, its contrasting sleeves adding a subtle edge. There was a sense of storytelling in every detail, from the gentle drape of fabric to the artful prints, capturing a femininity that felt both romantic and self-assured.

    SAMANTHA SIU

    Samantha Siu, a New York-based jewellery designer represented by Black PR, is renowned for her intricate wax carving technique. Her creations feel deeply considered and heirloom worthy, each one imbued with personal meaning and a deep respect for cultural heritage.

    Samantha Siu’s On Schedule LFW A/W26 event unveiling the Celestial Icicles Necklace. This limited edition design joins her celebrated ‘A Love Affair’ collection and draws inspiration from the arctic landscape of Iceland. The piece captures the clarity and quiet drama of glacial forms, translating them into something delicate yet striking.

     

    BIBI LAWRENCE

    Bibi Lawrence’s A/W26 couture presentation was a powerful celebration of modern African luxury, and one I truly wish I had attended in person. Founded in Lagos, the house unveiled a sculptural edit from its celebrated Oge Ntoju collection, meaning A Season of Fullness, during London Fashion Week. There is something especially meaningful about seeing African brands platformed on an international stage.

    As the title suggests, the collection spoke of growth, structure and becoming. For London, two couture looks were revealed as a focused statement: The Orchid Dress and The Rose Dress. Each design embodied the house philosophy of strength and softness existing in harmony. One look featured a striking red sculptural mini dress with bold, architectural volume and organic detailing, while the other embraced rich texture and dramatic movement through floral appliqué and cascading fringe. Together, they formed a confident expression of femininity, rooted in heritage yet undeniably contemporary.

    INFDARK AW26 

    INF‘s A/W26  collection felt both conceptual and wearable.

    I happened to be seated close to the front, which allowed me to observe the garments in remarkable detail. From that vantage point, the craftsmanship became even more apparent. There was a distinct sense of something unfinished, yet entirely resolved, as though each piece deliberately revealed its own construction while still feeling complete. That tension between process and polish gave the collection a thoughtful, self-aware quality. I found that especially compelling. If you happen to watch my reel on Instagram, you will notice how often I zoomed in on the finer details. I appreciated the fluidity, asymmetry, and draping of the clothing. Even the styling, with understated footwear and minimal structure, reinforced a sense of adaptability and comfort.

    The collection balanced contemporary edge with practicality. It spoke to sustainability not only in ethos but in versatility, with pieces designed to be layered, reworked, and worn in multiple ways.

    ERDEM

    ERDEM’s Autumn Winter 2026 show, titled The Imaginary Conversation, unfolded as a reflective tribute to the voices and stories that have shaped the house over the past two decades. Rather than looking solely forward, the collection engaged in a quiet dialogue with its own history, revisiting familiar characters and silhouettes, then recontextualising and reimagining them for the present moment.

    Fabrics were patchworked and different textures placed side by side, with pieces brought together in a way that felt intentional and considered. The result, per usual, was romantic yet modern, rooted in heritage without being restricted by it.

     

    The University of Salford MA Fashion Design graduates presented their collections during London Fashion Week.

    Each designer brought a distinct creative voice, shaped by influences ranging from technology and the environment to wider social contexts. Handcrafted techniques were central to many of the collections, highlighting both skill and personal expression.

    The diversity across the runway was apparent. Some collections leaned avant-garde, with sculptural forms and experimental silhouettes, while others explored refined tailoring and more wearable design. There was a clear sense of exploration and identity throughout, with each designer confidently presenting their own interpretation of contemporary fashion.

    HECTOR MACLEAN

    Hector Maclean’s A/W 2026 collection, Escape, is a deeply personal meditation on memory, endurance and inheritance. The collection weaves together his Polish heritage, family history and a profound respect for sustainability. Through carefully considered fabrication and construction, each piece reads as a living echo of the past, thoughtfully reimagined through a contemporary lens. The gowns are unmistakably feminine yet powerful. I feel the silhouettes evoke protective shells, enveloping the body in sweeping volumes that feel both defensive and tender. Maclean’s use of scale is particularly striking. Expansive skirts and architectural capes create drama. The interplay of structure and softness gives the collection its emotional charge.

    London Fashion Week always leaves me inspired and reflective. Beyond the spectacle and anticipation, it is the quieter details that stay with me: precise tailoring, confident silhouettes, and subtle shifts in proportion that hint at a new season.

    What resonates most, however, is not simply what is trending but what feels enduring. The collections offered direction, but they also reaffirmed the importance of personal style as an anchor. Fashion moves quickly, yet personal remains steady.

    As I reflect on the shows, the conversations, and the atmosphere, I am reminded that Fashion Week is not merely about what we wear next, but how we choose to interpret it. And that, to me, is where the real creativity lies.

    Catch up on my previous posts here and here.

    Related Post London Fashion Week AW 2026 Street Style | What I Wore in London

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