LONDON FASHION WEEK (LFW) JUNE 2023

by Cecile Paul · June 17, 2023

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LFW Projects a Future for Fashion that’s ‘Slow’, Crafty, Sustainable and Deliberately Different to what’s Gone Down Before.

Image Credit LFW Instagram
The fashion future may be different, but let it be bright!

Image Credit: London Fashion Week (LFW), LFW on Instagram, LFW on Facebook, participating designers’ websites and social media.

Shining the light brightly on Men and Menswear! A transitional version of London Fashion Week kicked off in the capitol, featuring an all-singing-and-dancing interactive programme that includes panel discussions with those in the know, collaborations and cultural events showcasing the current buzztrends: diversity, innovation and sustainability. The focus remains on developing an exciting new platform focussed on Menswear, incorporating craft and technology, with keeping a close eye on the hottest topic of the moment, and how it’s likely to influence Fashion: the almighty Artificial Intelligence.

Gender-fluid-wear was part of the offering and the collections incorporated the current trend for crafty elements – from hand-painted surfaces to beading and other tactile, hand-crafted embellishments – clearly favouring a move towards ‘slow fashion’. As for colours on trend, we need to single out the unforgettable combination of cobalt blue and golden ochre – as blue as the Mediterranean and as sandy golden as the Sahara desert!

The BA fashion students from the University of Westminster as well as those from Ravensbourne University London exhibited a body of inspired, forward-thinking design. London-based avant-garde fashion retail legend Browns joined forces with Crenshaw Skate Club and we saw some inspired street and skate wear on display. A highlight of the first two days was Qasimi, who wowed with their bold and bright surface designs inspired by Sudanese artist Kamala Ibrahim Ishaq. SMR Days, Eudon Choi, Bianca Saunders and Justin Cassin pulled out all the stops to catapult Menswear squarely to the forefront of things while artisanal leather brand J&M Davidson showcased their classic, ultra-covetable arm candy.

We invite you to join us on a mini journey of London Fashion Week. Let’s kick off with a look behind-the-scenes …

Image Credit LFW on Instagram
Hair and Beauty behind the scenes

Image Credit LFW
Behind the scenes – hair and beauty under the spotlight – at Ahluwalia

Image Credit LFW
Behind the scenes, a symphony in linen – at SMR Days

Image Credit LFW on Facebook
A simple hair and beauty look lets the avant-garde pieces take centre stage

Image Credit LFW on Facebook
From faded dyes to metallics

Image Credit LFW on Facebook
Behind the scenes – classic denim meets linen

The Brands

Quasimi

@qasimi_official

Delightfully bold and vibrant, Quasimi – a brand for all genders, all cultures and all ages – was one of the highlights of the week. The pieces are beautifully crafted and embellished, colours ranging from desert-inspired pastels to deepest cobalt & indigo and silhouettes speak of relaxed elegance and contemporary sophistication. We absolutely adore this season’s offering in which the brand drew inspiration from Sudanese artist Kamala Ibrahim Ishaq, showcasing divinely earthy colours, hand-painted portraits, embroidery and silk printing.

Watch the Qasimi presentation here:

https://londonfashionweek.co.uk/designers/qasimi

Image Credit LFW on Facebook
Digital portraits were inspired by Sudanese artist Kamala Ibrahim Ishaq – at Qasimi

Image Credit LFW on Facebook
A gilet made of tactile beading – at Qasimi

Image Credit LFW on Facebook
Fabulous crafty elements – at Qasimi

Image Credit LFW
A collection of desert-inspired pastels juxtaposed with cobalt blue – at Qasimi

Image Credit LFW
Pearl embellishments and pearl earrings – at Qasimi

Image Credit LFW
A classic jacket in a shade of desert sand – at Qasimi

Image Credit LFW on Instagram
Rich ochre patterns in a jumpsuit and camouflage hoodie – at Qasimi

Image Credit LFW
Behind the scenes at Qasimi

Image Credit LFW
Classic cobalt blue in the spotlight – at Qasimi

Image Credit LFW on Facebook
The ultimate classics – double denim in cobalt blue – at Qasimi

Justin Cassin

@justincassin

Designer Justin Cassin’s ethos of ‘connection, creativity, fun, inclusion and equality’ is crystal clear when one gets to indulge in his offering for LFW 2023. The lucky person who gets to wear this fabulous confidence-boosting brand will indeed stand out from the crowd and push just a few boundaries! We love the tactile nature of the pieces; they’re classic (albeit always with a twist!), super elegant and ooze relaxed comfort.

Image Credit Justin Cassin.
Sexy knitted ecru – at Justin Cassin

Image Credit Justin Cassin on Instagram
A belted bomber – at Justin Cassin

Image Credit Justin Cassin on Instagram
Sandy track bottoms get a casual blazer upgrade – at Justin Cassin

Image Credit LFW on Instagram
A mandarin-style military jacket in classic navy – at Justin Cassin

Image Credit Justin Cassin on Instagram
Tactile winter white makes for a very sensual blazer – at Justin Cassin

Image Credit Justin Cassin on Instagram
Who needs a shirt? At Justin Cassin

SMR Days

@smrdays

This brand truly lives up to its name and delivers, season after season, an effortless wardrobe for men who seek out long summer days! The laid-back shirts and shorts, relaxed suiting, lightweight jackets, silk drawstring trousers and classic chinos drip with sophisticated elegance. Think a cruise on the Nile, a beach house in Ibiza or a villa stay in Tuscany … this is the perfect brand for those with a passion for a nomadic lifestyle. The surface designs are exotic and tactile – from Indian bandhani tie-dye and kantha embroidery to traditional block printing techniques. (Mind you – these are equally good for a stay-at-home or work-from-home summer!)

Image Credit SMR Days
Cobalt is the star colour of Fashion Week! At SMR Days

Image Credit SMR Days on Instagram
Shirts, blazers and shorts! At SMR Days

Image Credit SMR Days on Instagram
Seahorses embellish this cobalt blue casual jacket – at SMR Days

Image Credit SMR Days on Instagram
A lounge suit perfect for all adventures – at SMR Days

Image Credit SMR Days on Instagram
Ready for all manner of seaworthy adventures – at SMR Days

Image Credit SMR Days on Instagram
Aviators complete the picture – At SMR Days

Image Credit SMR Days on Instagram
An ochre hessian carry-all – at SMR Days

Ahluwalia

@ahluwalia

British Fashion Council member Ahluwalia is the brainchild of Priya Ahluwalia, who draws on her Indian/Nigerian heritage as well as the fact she’s based in London to create collections for men and women that are sexy, colourful, tactile, vibrant and oh so joyous.

Image Credit Ahluwalia on Instagram
Delicious mohair! At Ahluwalia

Image Credit Ahluwalia on Instagram
Shapely streetwear – at Ahluwalia

Image Credit Ahluwalia on Instagram
Organic jacquard knit patterns that have a charming West African feel to them – at Ahluwalia

Image Credit Ahluwalia on Instagram
It’s all about the patterning … at Ahluwalia

Bianca Saunders

@biancasaunders

Bianca Saunders’ London-based brand draws on her British and Jamaican backgrounds in creating memorable menswear collections that are contemporary and full of cross-cultural references. We adore the choice of stand-out surface patterning and inspired mix of colour in this collection.

Image Credit Bianca Saunders on Instagram
Squares meet diagonals in this elegant loungewear – at Bianca Saunders

Image Credit Bianca Saunders
Exotic colour combinations – at Bianca Saunders

Bianca Saunders on Instagram. Photography @vivekvad at @east__CO, Styling @nikhilmansata, Casting @featartists, Hair & makeup @bymaniasha at @fazemanagementProduction @harshasinha_at @elementsprodn
An uber-exotic silk trench – at Bianca Saunders

Ravensbourne University London

The BA(Hons) Fashion course at Ravensbourne University has always had a strong reputation for producing rather employable graduates … Previous students have gone on to work at legendary brands like Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Chloe, Victoria Beckham and Givenchy! We marvelled at the avant-garde designs, always supported by brilliant pattern-cutting skills and digital technology. This is young talent most definitely worth watching.

Image Credit LFW on Facebook
The future of Fashion is green – at Ravensbourne University London

Image Credit LFW on Facebook
Recycled jewellery – at Ravensbourne University London

Image Credit LFW on Instagram
Bold, tactile and textured – at Ravensbourne University London

Image Credit LFW on Instagram
Experimental metallics – at Ravensbourne University London

Image Credit LFW on Facebook
Period-inspired yet contemporary – at Ravensbourne University London

Image Credit LFW
Behind the scenes – at Ravensbourne University London

Browns X Crenshaw Skate Club

@brownsfashion

@crenshawskateclub

Legendary London retailer Browns joined forces with Crenshaw Skate Club to present a live show of skaters doing what they enjoy best – in some awesome gear.

Image Browns on Instagram
Double denim gets some cool pink branding – at Browns X Crenshaw Skate Club

Image Credit Crenshaw Skate Club on Instagram
Streetwear – at Browns X Crenshaw Skate Club

LFW Facebook
Shades of black – at Browns X Crenshaw Skate Club

Crenshaw Skate Club Insta
Digital prints – at Browns X Crenshaw Skate Club

Eudon Choi

@eudonchoi

Korean-born Eudon Choi trained as a menswear designer before locating to London. His collections are playful and intelligent, understated and meticulously constructed. These fluid pieces will fit into most folks’ wardrobes without even trying.

Image Credit Eudon Choi
Behind the scenes – at Eudon Choi

Image Credit Eudon Choi
A very elegant floor-sweeping metallic gown – at Eudon Choi

Image Credit LFW on Facebook with #BFCMember Eudon Choi, with romantic soft hair Adam Garland and natural, fresh make up by Adam De Cruz
A delicate pair of white lace shorts – at Eudon Choi

Image Credit Eudon Choi
A classic wool coat in marled biscuit – at Eudon Choi

J&M Davidson

@jandmdavidsonengland

London institution J&M Davidson’s bags, belts and other accessories are the epitome of classic understatement and superb quality. We love the never-out-of-fashion ecru and neutral shades we spotted in their collection this season.