This fall, London Fashion Week S/S 25 embraced a digital-physical hybrid format, celebrating 40 years of style, innovation, and creativity. Marking this milestone, LFW40 highlighted London’s standing as a global cultural capital and a crucible for creative talent of various nationalities.
Simone Rocha stunned with her ballet-inspired creations, while Harris Reed captivated with his historic-meets-contemporary narrative, repurposing antique textiles into modern masterpieces. JW Anderson, as always, struck a fine balance between minimal and maximal, presenting pieces that are comfortable and familiar.
The collections this year were a bold mix of the avant-garde and the wearable, setting the tone for a season where, in true 2024 style, self-expression took centre stage. Come along as we pick out the best of London Fashion Week S/S 25 for you.
One word to encapsulate Simone Rocha’s aesthetic: Modern ballet core. Wondering what that looks like? So were we. The designer has reimagined wearable ballet outfits for the upcoming season, drawing inspiration from the works of choreographers and dancers Michael Clark and Pina Bausch. Expect to see tulle, brooch-like embellishments adorning rose-hued leotards, denim jackets paired with tutus, and a striking satin cape with a bubble skirt. This collection is set to pirouette its way into your wardrobe.
Harris Reed is never short of a captivating narrative. If you’ve followed his work over previous London Fashion Weeks, you’ll know he’s made a name for himself with extravagant, whimsical designs. For his latest collection, Reed spent the past six months rummaging through second-hand shops, car boot sales, and beyond, unearthing treasures from the UK, Europe, and beyond. “Some of these pieces are 300 years old — we have 17th and 18th-century pieces and even some 19th-century tablecloths, headboards, and draperies that were tucked away in attics. We’re now bringing them onto the body in a demi-couture way,” Reed shared. His collection is an elegant fusion of historical relics and contemporary flair, creating a visual feast that’s both timeless and avant-garde.
Priya Ahluwalia’s Spring/Summer 2025 show, ‘Home Sweet Home’, was inspired by a Christmas trip to Jamaica. For Ahluwalia, home is as much an emotional space as it is a physical one, and this collection pays homage to her Nigerian-Indian roots. “It’s a deeply sentimental collection, and I’m thrilled for people to see our new take on evening wear; we’ve ventured into new territory with some incredible pieces,” she said. The collection is a beautiful tapestry of British homeliness interwoven with her rich heritage. Known for her innovative patchwork techniques and commitment to sustainability, Ahluwalia has once again demonstrated why she’s a three-time recipient of the Leader of Change award at the Fashion Awards.
Tennis mania hasn’t entirely loosened its grip on fashion just yet. Following the jersey and logo frenzy of SS24, the preppier side of the aesthetic has taken centre stage. Yuhan Wang riffed on pleated tennis skirts, blending sporty details with her signature romantic fabrics and soft hues. Rugby jerseys made an appearance at Ancuta Sarca, who distinguished herself with a sustainability-first approach, repurposing materials from brands like Crocs and Clarks. Whether we’re preparing for rugby, Halloween, or a 2013 Avril Lavigne video remains unclear, but Wang is here to help you look delightfully rebellious.
JW Anderson presented his spring collection against the backdrop of Tower Bridge, in a historic fish market that perfectly balanced heritage and modernity. Giant knitted lattice weaves transformed into mini dresses, leather skirts took on sculptural forms around the waist, and silk satin bombers morphed into voluminous ball gowns. Cashmere was reimagined as sleeveless mini dresses, and argyle pops and sliced jumpers added a playful touch. With this collection, Anderson invites us to declutter our wardrobes next season and embrace a ‘less is more’ philosophy. His runway show offered something for every fashion enthusiast, promising plenty of bite-sized wearable pieces.
HARRI’s fifth instalment at London Fashion Week for SS25 was a true amplification of HARRI’s usual aesthetic. After testing his limits for his NEMO collaboration – creating a gigantic creation that filled the stage – he knew he wanted to keep up his momentum of boundary-pushing creations and exquisite craftsmanship, yet found himself at a crossroads in deciding his next steps forward, and which directions to follow. Furthermore, HARRI was also intrigued by the concept of a fully ready-to-wear collection, having taken a previous affinity for avant-garde, sculpture-like pieces. Therefore, for this new season, he took a different path altogether, conceiving a series of characters from an otherworldly realm, as well as making SS25 his debut womenswear collection; one that explores the legacy of the past and the opportunity of the future.
