LONDON FASHION WEEK (LFW) JUNE 2023
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
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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
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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
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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
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Behind the scenes at Qasimi
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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
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Bold, tactile and textured – at Ravensbourne University London
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Experimental metallics – at Ravensbourne University London
Image Credit LFW on Facebook
Period-inspired yet contemporary – at Ravensbourne University London
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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.
Image Credit J&M Davidson on Instagram
Natural, tactile fabrics – at J&M Davidson
Image Credit J&M Davidson on Instagram
Natural, tactile fabrics – at J&M Davidson
Image Credit J&M Davidson on Instagram
Classic shapes, classic shades – at J&M Davidson
Image Credit J&M Davidson on Instagram
Belts accentuate the waist of this classic LBD – at J&M Davidson
Image Credit J&M Davidson on Instagram
This is what they’re famous for! At J&M Davidson
