Over the last three days, we have watched the fashion industry come together, adapt and
transform London Fashion Week Men’s into a digital event in response to the Coronavirus
outbreak.
It may not have been the same experience of running in between shows, meetings and
events, but we were not left disappointed. We’ve watched discussions, podcasts, virtual
exhibitions and virtual catwalks all from the industry’s leading fashion voices.
It’s been a hectic three days, so if you missed anything from the weekend festivities, we’ve
rounded up our top moments from LFW.
Friday 12th June
To begin, let’s take a moment to catch up on how Friday’s events came to an end.
Liam Hodges presents Miss Jason & Hasani B2B in support of LGBTQIA + POC
After a full day of discussions, catwalks and exhibitions, the first day of LFW came to an
exciting end with a DJ set from Miss Jason & Hasani B2B to raise awareness for LGBTQIA+
POC in the UK. You can donate here.
Not only was the final event raising awareness for an incredible organisation but got us
feeling for the weekend and very excited for the rest of Fashion Week to continue.
Video of Liam Hodges presents Miss Jason & Hasani B2B in support of LGBTQIA + POC
Saturday 13th June
KA WA KEY
KA WA KEY showcased a mixture of SS21 and archived pieces for the second day of LFW.
The collection was showcased using only a green screen, a London home and a very creative
mind, all produced during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The video, named “There’s no place like home”, was inspired by nursery rhymes and fairytale characters. We couldn’t tell if it was real life, or we were hallucinating.
Check out our favourite pieces from their AW2020 collection below:
XANDER ZHOU AW20
Chinese fashion designer, Xander Zhou (and the first-ever menswear Chinese designer to be
included in LFW Men’s) walked us through his latest AW20 collection in a very futuristic,
digitally voice-over ‘critical update’ video.
Each showcase was very unique from the next, transitioning from monochrome buttoned
shirts to colourful pixel puffa jackets. He really took ‘fashion-forward’ to a whole new level
with this collection.
Take a look at some of the best looks below.
XU ZHI PRELUDE
Fashion designer Zu Zhi debuted his latest AW20 collection in a virtual catwalk film. The designer really pushed the boundaries of a typical catwalk, in true corona style, with seamless transitions between an underground tube station to a luxury city apartment, which really captured the inspo behind his latest collection. Elegant fashion that can be worn from day to night. Tassels, faux fur patching and distressed fabrics took centre stage to this latest collection, all the while keeping his signature tailored look.
Video of XU ZHI PRELUDE
NABIL NAYAL/ Chapter X: The Archives in Blue
In a 4-minute short film, Syrian-born British fashion designer Nabil Nayal, presents his tenth
collection and takes a look back at his ‘hero pieces.’ To sum up this latest collection, there is only one word to use. Blue. “During the Reformation, blue was highly regarded as a moral shade, separate from the true colours of red, green yellow and purple, which were deemed extravagant and grotesque. Blue allows me to see the archives in a new light, without detracting from the essence of the garments,” says Nayal.
Check out our favourite pieces below.
15 Year of TONI&GUY hair on London Fashion Week
One of our favourite moments from the weekend was a trip back to look at all the best TONI
and GUY hairstyles on the LFW catwalk over the last 15 years. We got a look behind the scenes at how hairstyling has evolved over the last decade and a half, through showcasing many designers including the likes of Giles, Jean-Pierre Braganza, Betty Jackson and Paul Costelloe.
Take a look for yourself.
Video of 15 Year of TONI&GUY hair on London Fashion Week
OSMAN YOUSEFZADA’s film ‘Her Dreams are Bigger’
Osman Yousefzada shared a very enlightening short film to highlight the issues of fast
fashion and to give a voice to fashion factory workers in Bangladesh.In the film, workers are asked to give their impression on the kind of women who buy the clothes they make which really highlights the inequality the fast-fashion chain. Some of the impressions included; “They look beautiful,” “they eat different kinds of food,” “they’re not black like me,” “their lips are like dolls.” It’s an eye-opening document that shows the lives of those behind the clothes. It’s a story everyone should see.
Video of OSMAN YOUSEFZADA’s film ‘Her Dreams are Bigger’
Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY Presents SOLASTA.
To round down Saturday we listened into a live-streamed fundraising event for UK Black
Pride. We don’t want to give too much away, but to celebrate his AW2020 collection, Charles Jeffery took us to the basement where his fashion house LOVERBOY was founded to hear from musicians, dancers, spoken word artists and designers. All to raise cash for Black Pride. Needless to say, we were left feeling very inspired. Donate to UK Black Pride
Watch the event here:
Video of Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY Presents SOLASTA.
Sunday 14th June
RIXO ‘Flora’ Resort 2021 Collection
For Rixo’s digital LFW presentation, they released a short video teasing us with their resort
2021 Flora collection. The look book was shot in Rixo’s co-founder Henrietta’s family home
garden surrounded by trees and flowers to show off the collection.The collection features a load of florals, ditsy prints, daisy embroidered knitwear, floaty summer dresses and watercolour roses. Really living up to its name. The collections not available to buy online yet, but check out the teaser video
Video of RIXO ‘Flora’ Resort 2021 Collection
Stephen Jones Millinery ‘Analogue Fairydust’
Stephen Jones Millinery treated us to a preview of his Spring-Summer 2021 collection,
named ‘Analogue Fairydust in collaboration with Noonoouri. The short clip gave us an insight into what’s to come from the upcoming collection, featuring everything from a fantasia star covered mask, to a dark grey wave crown to a floating silver embellished top hat. All modelled on a VR doll. We couldn’t tell what was real, and what wasn’t!
Watch the full video here:
Video of Stephen Jones Millinery ‘Analogue Fairydust’
LFW Designer Diary: Roksanda
It was short but very sweet. An inside look into the colourful, elegant world of Roksanda. In
a ‘Designer Diary’ she showcased her inspiration during the lockdown and the efforts put into
making her latest collection. In her AW2020 line, she experimented with everything from camo print, to burgundy leather to chunky knitwear. There’s no running theme which each look different to the next, but we are obsessed.
Natasha Zinko x DUOltd SS21 Collection
“A nostalgic celebration of Land of the Free that is a stark contrast to the painful and
harrowing imagery that has emerged from the US in recent weeks.” Her latest collection is described as ‘optimistic’ and ‘youthful’ as it’s filled with references of peace signs, hippie flares, heart prints, smiling faces and a lot of cowboys. The collection is to embody what the American Dream is supposed to embody, drawing attention to the recent violence and protests.
View our favourite looks below
LN-CC Presents the ‘Late Night- Conscious campaign’
The ‘Late Night- Conscious Campaign’ supports luxury brands to help produce sustainable
clothing and to raise awareness of issues that face the fashion industry to help bring about
social change. Instead of presenting her Spring/Summer 2021 collection on the catwalk, British-born designer Martine Rose released a capsule collection in a performance piece narrated by
activist Kai-Isaiah Jamal
View the campaign video below:
Video of LN-CC Presents the ‘Late Night- Conscious campaign’
John Lewis & Partners presents the LFW
For the first time in history, the public got to walk the John Lewis & Partners catwalk to raise
money for The British Fashion Council. In true lockdown fashion. Hundreds took part in the showing off their own John Lewis summer looks, making it a ‘fashion moment to remember!’ We loved everything about it. What a way to end the weekend.
Watch the inspiring video for yourself
Video of John Lewis & Partners presents the LFW
Words by Clare Stephenson
Graphics by Georgia Walters
