Frequently asked questions
2. Where is London Fashion Week?
3. When is London Fashion Week?
4. Who attends London Fashion Week?
5. Who organises London Fashion Week?
6. What is the British Fashion Council?
7. How do I register for London Fashion Week?
8. How can I attend London Fashion Week catwalk shows?
9. How can I attend the London Fashion Week Exhibition?
10. How can I apply as an exhibitor?
11. How can I showcase my collection at London Fashion Week?
12. What is Estethica? / How can I apply?
13. What is NEWGEN? / How can I apply?
14. What is Fashion Forward? / How can I apply?
15. When is London Fashion Weekend?
16. When did London Fashion Week start?
17. How can I apply to be included on the official catwalk show schedule?
1. What is London Fashion Week?
A biannual trade show, where each season designers unveil their collections to a professional audience of press and buyers who visit the capital from the UK and across the globe.
^ Top2. Where is London Fashion Week?
London Fashion Week is held at two venues this season:
Somerset House, South Wing, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/somersethouse
180 The Strand, London, WC2R 3DA
www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/180strand
3. When is London Fashion Week?
London Fashion Week is a biannual event to showcase the spring/summer collections in September and the autumn/winter collections in February.
It takes place after New York Fashion Week and before Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks.
4. Who attends London Fashion Week?
London Fashion Week is a trade show attended by Press, Buyers and key opinion formers both International and UK.
^ Top5. Who organises London Fashion Week?
London Fashion Week is organised by the British Fashion Council.
^ Top6. What is the British Fashion Council?
The British Fashion Council (BFC) is supported by industry benefactors and aims to promote British fashion design worldwide. The BFC works with designers to help them progress their businesses and reach their full potential.
Its principle activities are:
LONDON FASHION WEEK
The bi annual designer showcase, consisting of a catwalk schedule, presentation schedule, Designer exhibition and recently introduced menswear showcase. It is the showcase platform for our designer support schemes NEWGEN, Fashion Forward and the recently introduced NEWGEN MEN.
BRITISH FASHION AWARDS
The annual awards ceremony voted for by key members of the fashion media.
COLLEGES COUNCIL
Developing links between Britain’s fashion colleges and the industry. The BFC Princess of Wales Charitable Trust was re-launched this year to support education in fashion.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Working with designers to help them progress their businesses and reach their full potential.
For general enquires on the British Fashion Council, please contact:
Emma Campbell
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7759 1999
emma.campbell@britishfashioncouncil.com
www.britishfashioncouncil.com
7. How do I register for London Fashion Week?
London Fashion Week is a trade only event.
If you are a member of the industry, you can register online to receive your fast track entry to the exhibition and to receive all the latest news and updates on London Fashion Week.
www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/register
8. How can I attend London Fashion Week catwalk shows?
Tickets for the Catwalk Shows are distributed at the discretion of each designer. Please contact the designers' Press contact which can be found on the designer pages of this website.
9. How can I attend the London Fashion Week Exhibition?
The Exhibition at London Fashion Week plays host to over 200 top British and International ready-to-wear and accessory designers, from the edgy and cool to the contemporary and commercial, and is open to UK and International press and buyers.
To attend the exhibition please register online at www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/register where you will receive an e-pass via email if you are successfully vetted.
10. How can I apply as an exhibitor?
An application form is available online at www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/exhibition at the beginning of each season where each designer is then vetted on the success of their application.
All new applicants are considered by a British Fashion Council selection panel.
11. How can I showcase my collection at London Fashion Week?
There are various areas which you can apply for at London Fashion Week.
- Catwalk
- Exhibition
- Estethica in association with Monsoon
- BFC NEWGEN sponsored by Topshop
- BFC Fashion Forward Supported by LDA
12. What is Estethica? / How can I apply?
Estethica, in association with Monsoon, is the BFC's eco sustainable initiative. Based at the Exhibition at London Fashion Week, it is the hotspot for ethical fashion, where designers will show collections founded on ecological and organic principles.
To apply for Estethica you can access the application form online at the beginning of each season. You can also find out if your company qualifies for Estethica by completing a questionnaire at www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/estethica
13. What is NEWGEN? / How can I apply?
The BFC NEWGEN sponsorship scheme, sponsored by Topshop, supports the best up and coming designers at London Fashion Week.
NEWGEN is recognised internationally and has helped launch the careers of some of Britain's top designers. Support is usually available for up to three seasons and applications will only be accepted from those who have been in business for three years or less.
For more information or to apply for NEWGEN you can access the application form online: www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/newgen
14. What is Fashion Forward? / How can I apply?
This scheme, supported by LDA, gives support to British designers who have already established a profile at London Fashion Week through the NEWGEN programme or who are at an equivalent stage in their business. The sponsorship consists of substantial funding towards a catwalk show at London Fashion Week.
15. When is London Fashion Weekend?
London Fashion Weekend will take place from the 24th to the 27th of September at the spectacular Somerset House and urban 180 The Strand - right in the heart of London.
It is a shopping paradise for anyone who loves fashion with top designer labels at a cut-price. As well as the fabulous fashion, London Fashion Weekend offers unmissable style and beauty advice direct from the experts. www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk
16. When did London Fashion Week start?
The first London Fashion Week in its current format was held in 1983.
17. How can I apply to be included on the official catwalk show schedule?
Application forms are available from Katie Bain at the British Fashion Council
katie.bain@britishfashioncouncil.com
+44 (0) 20 7759 1978
All applications are considered by a British Fashion Council selection panel.
