London Fashion Week Preview: 5 Things Associate Editor Pahull Bains Is Looking Forward To

by Pahull Bains

My London Fashion Week experience begins the moment I check in to the storied May Fair Hotel. As the official hotel of fashion week, it’s sure to be a prime spot for people-watching: fashion editors, models, and street style stars more often seen on Instagram than IRL. In between shows, presentations and appointments, I hope to stop by JR’s exhibit at the new Lazinc Gallery in Mayfair (you might have spotted the French artist’s larger-than-life photo installation behind U2 at their Grammys performance on New York’s Hudson River), the new Indian Accent restaurant (I’ve been to both their original New Delhi location as well as their New York outpost, and let me say—I’d take a trans-Atlantic flight just for their blue cheese naan and dal moradabadi), and the Olsen twins’ first UK pop-up of their curated line of vintage clothing—Elizabeth & James Vintage—at Selfridges.

Aside from that, here are the five key London Fashion Week moments I’m looking forward to this week.

1. Christopher Bailey’s last Burberry show
After 17 years at Burberry’s helm, Christopher Bailey is parting ways with the iconic British brand. Change, especially in the fashion industry, is inevitable, and we’re looking forward to seeing how Bailey bids farewell to Burberry after almost two decades. Can we expect an epic musical performance? Music has been a major component of Burberry’s shows under Bailey’s leadership, so much so that the brand has curated an Apple Music playlist—titled 17 Years of Soundtrack—of over 200 songs to celebrate its musical history. What we do know is we’ll be seeing a lot of rainbow-themed pieces. “My final collection here at Burberry is dedicated to – and in support of – some of the best and brightest organisations supporting LGBTQ+ youth around the world,” Bailey said in a statement. “There has never been a more important time to say that in our diversity lies our strength, and our creativity.”

2. Sentaler’s first London preview of its fall collection
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are fans of this Canadian outerwear brand, which might have something to do with Sentaler hosting a preview of its fall 2018 collection in London for the very first time. Viewings are by appointment only, so the chances of spotting either the Duchess or royal-to-be are pretty slim, but we’ll keep our eyes peeled for you.

3. Delpozo’s first show in London
After ten seasons in New York, “pret-a-couture” Spanish label Delpozo is heading across the pond for its first London show. Headed by Josep Font, the brand has an eclectic, playful and truly unique aesthetic that’s earned it fans like Mad Men’s Kiernan Shipka, Rihanna, Kerry Washington and Zendaya Coleman, and I can’t wait to see it in its new environs. This season, the show is being held at the Royal Institute of British Architects.

4. Kate Middleton to attend Commonwealth Fashion Exchange Showcase
Bringing together design and artisan talent from 52 Commonwealth countries, this inaugural event, put together by Eco-Age (founded by Livia Firth), the British Fashion Council and the Commonwealth Fashion Council, aims to encourage cross-cultural projects and promote sustainability. Labels like Karen Walker from New Zealand, Behno from India, and Lucian Matis and Tanya Taylor from Canada are teaming up with artisans from regions like Tuvalu, Namibia and Seychelles. The looks created through this exchange will be showcased at a special reception at Buckingham Palace during fashion week, which the Duchess of Cambridge is reportedly attending, along with the Countess of Wessex.

A sneak peak of the amazing looks being created for The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange. Participating designers and artisans will collectively represent all 52 commonwealth member countries. The looks created through the #FashionExchange will be showcased at a special reception at Buckingham Palace during London Fashion Week in February in the presence of HRH The Duchess of Cambridge and HRH The Countess of Wessex. The looks will then move to a public exhibition at Australia House on February 21st, and other locations in London in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit, April 2018. @Swarovski @thewoolmarkcompany @MATCHESFASHION @theroyalfamily @britishfashioncouncil @commonwealthfashion @buildanest @googleartsculture #FashionExchange

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5. Canadian Design Showcase at London’s Canada House
The Toronto Fashion Incubator, the City of Toronto, and the High Commission of Canada to the United Kingdom are hosting an evening celebrating Canadian design talent at Canada House. “There is such a buzz around the designers coming out of Canada these days,” says Janice Charette, High Commissioner of Canada to the UK. The evening will feature fall/winter collections from designers like Alan Anderson, Hilary MacMillan, Miriam Baker and Angela DeMontigny.

Canada House on Trafalgar Square is set to celebrate the best in new Canadian design talent February 15, ahead of London Fashion Week (LFW 18), with a special “Cocktails and Curated Collections from Canada” showcase. This event marks an exciting new entrée into London for Canadian design and features fall and winter collections from some of the country’s most talked-about designers, many of whom are bringing their collections to the UK for the first time. @CanadaInTheUK #LoveCanadianFashion @CityofTO @tfi_fashionincubator @SusanAtTFI #fashion #style #design #fashiongram #fashiondesigner #FW18 #designercollections #LFW #LondonFashionWeek #Toronto #Canada #Canadianfashion #WearCanadian #OnestoWatch #BuyCanadian #WearCanadaProud

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