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Want To Do Fashion Week Like An Editor? Well, You Can

Photo credit: Christian Vierig - Getty Images
Photo credit: Christian Vierig - Getty Images

After two years of on-and-off restrictions, London Fashion Week is back this February in a hybrid format that will encompass physical and digital shows and events. Things will be (almost) back to normal, with big-hitters like Richard Quinn, Erdem, Simone Rocha and Roksanda all holding in-person shows.

This season, the names to look out for include Nensi Dojaka (beloved of Bella Hadid and Emma Corrin, the designer recently won the LVMH prize), up-and-coming womenswear designer Conner Ives and Poster Girl, which is making its LFW debut.

Happily, all this action isn't just reserved for fashion editors. This season, some of the best LFW events and shows are open to the public both physically and online, with a number of high-profile designers – Ahluwalia, Temperley London, Simone Rocha, Emilia Wickstead, Vivienne Westwood and Richard Malone included – hosting a livestream of their physical shows online, so that anyone can tune in.

Photo credit: Streetstyleshooters - Getty Images
Photo credit: Streetstyleshooters - Getty Images

Of course, then there are the parties and off-schedule events to consider, as well as the limited-edition collabs, plus the best restaurants and bars to be seen at. Phew. Relax, though, in the knowledge that we've got your London Fashion Week to-do list covered.

When Is London Fashion Week?

London Fashion Week takes place twice a year in February and September, showcasing over 250 designers to a global audience of influential media and retailers. This season, London Fashion Week is taking place from February 18 to 22, 2022. For more information on the schedule, head to the LFW website.

Photo credit: .
Photo credit: .

What Else Is Going On?

There’s plenty of action planned alongside the catwalk spectacles. The British Fashion Council are running the LFW City-Wide Celebration programme of events, to help bring the joy of London Fashion Week to the whole city. There are plenty of opportunities - like free gifts from Ganni and RIXO, an in-store concert and party at French Sole and a panel talk at fashion rental pop-up By Rotation - to get in on, so check the schedule and get planning.

Photo credit: Filippo Fortis
Photo credit: Filippo Fortis

The Places To Be Seen:

Whether you're an editor or influencer with a front row seat, or just a fashion lover looking to get involved, there are certain hot tickets which are bound to be popular with the style set. Here's our guide for what not to miss.

Future Archive

Head to East London, the beating heart of the city's creative scene, for a design showroom experience from Future Archive, a diverse collective made up of freshly graduated, hot young talents from the University of the Arts London and Central Saint Martins. Designers will be presenting their latest collections to the sounds of a live local DJ set – all while you decide for yourself who you think will be fashion's next big thing...

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When: February 15, 5-11pm
Where:
130 Kingsland High Street, E8 2LQ

Erdem

LFW favourite Erdem is showing his AW22 collection on February 21, but the public can enjoy a sneak preview of the designer's first-ever men's collection beforehand by visiting the South Audley Street store. The Pre-Spring 22 collection will also be available to shop, with drinks and exclusive gifts thrown in too.

When: February 18-22
Where:
70 South Audley Street, W1K 2Ra

Rosewood London X My Wardrobe HQ

Beyond being an ever-popular people-watching spot, the Rosewood London will be hosting a special pop-up shopping experience in collaboration with My Wardrobe HQ to encourage a more sustainable LFW.

For two days only, the fashion rental marketplace will be taking over the palatial Lincoln House suite and transforming it into the boutique fashion house of dreams, with a special edit of clothes and accessories available to try on and rent to ensure you're the best-dressed at any LFW event.

Look out for pieces from big-hitters including Stella McCartney and Prada, as well as super-cool, emerging designers who will act as catnip to street-style photographers around town.

When: February 16 and 17, 1oam - 3pm
Where:
Rosewood London, 252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN

Salvatore Ferragamo

Ain't no party like a Fashion Week party, and Salvatore Ferragamo's flagship store is preparing for a big one this season – Italian style. Think cocktails, playful photoshoots, Mediterranean inspired nibbles and a live performance by Italian jazz musician Noemi followed by a DJ set. All this, and an exclusive personalised bag with a special gift for all party-goers too. See you there...

When: February 18 and 19, 10am-6pm
Where:
74 Old Bond Street, W1S 4Al

Brora's 'Stitch It Don't Ditch It' Workshops

Is it just us, or is there nothing more annoying than getting a hole in a favourite cashmere jumper? Thankfully, British brand Brora is on hand to help with a pair of genius new ‘Stitch it Don’t Ditch it!’ workshops, run by whizz seamstress Shelley Zetuni from Sewingsmith.

Bring along any well-loved Brora jumpers and cardigans that have been oh-too-popular with moths, or socks that have seen better days to one of these two sessions, and watch and learn as Shelley patches them up.

Shelley will be on hand throughout to talk you through your repairs and teach her magical technique. Think darning, but for the fashion forward. And if you bring in an old Brora jumper that's beyond repair, Brora will recycle it for you give you a £25 voucher too.

When: February 18, 11am - 4pm
Where
: Brora Marylebone, 81 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4QJ

When: February 19, 11 am - 4pm
Where
: Brora Sloane Street, 6 Symons St, SW3 2TJ

The Places To Refuel

Every LFW-goer needs to eat properly occasionally, even if most lunches are hastily grabbed between shows in the middle of a hectic schedule. It's worth carving out some more time for yourself to visit these catwalk-ready bars, cafés and restaurants, however – and you might spot some fashionable faces over your starter.

Cédric Grolet at The Berkeley

Photo credit: The Berkeley
Photo credit: The Berkeley

Pastries and fashion may not seem like the obvious combination, but London's in-the-know style set can't get enough of superstar Parisian chef Cédric Grolet's brand-new patisserie at the ever-swanky Berkeley hotel. His creations are veritable works of art, and real Instagram catnip – so you can expect to see at least one influencer snapping away when you pop in.

Find it at Wilton Place, SW1X 7RL

Silo at Matches Fashion

Head to the Raey café at Matches Fashion's glorious 5 Carlos Place store, where zero-waste restaurant Silo will be popping up all week to feed the fashion crowd sustainable snacks. And naturally, while you're there, you may as well check out all the latest clothes and accessories too...

Find it at 5 Carlos Place, W1K 3AP

Marchesi 1824 by Prada

Photo credit: Courtesy of Prada
Photo credit: Courtesy of Prada

Prada’s historic Milan patisserie is beautifully upholstered in plush green fabrics, with picture-perfect cakes, panettone and pastel-coloured candy. Sugar is a LFW survival essential, and it's also next door to Celine, so... see you there?

Find it at 117 Mount Street, W1K 3LA

The Connaught Bar

After a hard day's Fashion Week-ing nothing hits the spot better than a Martini, and no where does one better than The Connaught Bar – but seriously: it's been voted best bar in the world three years in a row. With all those trends, shows, events and clothes running around in your head, it's a relief that here you need only think one thing: vodka or gin?

Find it at Carlos Place, W1K 2AL

The Way To Prep

Photo credit: Beauty
Photo credit: Beauty

Don't be fooled into thinking you need a brand new wardrobe of designer labels to make your mark at LFW.

Most editors keep it classic in trusty staples: the blazer that goes with everything, a statement bag that shows they understand (and set) the trends, plus boots or slides that will take them from show to show. So you don't need to prep by going shopping (especially since the launch of Second Hand September) – but a sparkly, new piercing (or five) from fashion set favourite Maria Tash never goes amiss, and will always add a cool girl vibe to any ensemble.

As for beauty prep, you'll likely see editors in FaceGym, having a signature 'face workout' to make sure they look fresh as a daisy at both in-person meets and on Zoom. Neville Hair & Beauty is always a popular choice for fashion folk looking to sneak in a quick, time-saving blow-dry, while the nails of the rich and famous are kept freshly painted by manicurist-to-know, Harriet Westmoreland.

The Way To Get Around

Photo credit: Imaxtree
Photo credit: Imaxtree

Public transport, though great, isn't so easy (or fun) in a pair of Versace's sky-high platform heels. And especially when you've got an eight-show-per-day kind of schedule, with venue changes in between. As such, most editors push the boat out with a private car to see them through London Fashion Week. If you're going to be 'extra' about your travel plans, now is surely the time.

This year, the ELLE editors will be hopping from show to show in a super-swanky, premium Mercedes-Benz S-Class – so keep an eye out for the ELLE-branded car around town.

Photo credit: Christian Vierig - Getty Images
Photo credit: Christian Vierig - Getty Images

Mercedes-Benz has long been a supporter of fashion talent, giving a platform to designers across the world by sponsoring countless Fashion Weeks, events and important prizes, as well as always being on hand to ferry editors between the hottest shows of each season.

Now you know how to London Fashion Week like an ELLE editor, we guess we'll see you at the shows.

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