BFC Requests the Fashion Industry to ‘Stand Together’ at London Fashion Week SS23

Organisers of London Fashion Week, the British Fashion Council are encouraging the fashion community, press and buyers – UK and overseas, to continue to support this season’s event. London Fashion Week (LFW) presented by Clearpay, kicks off today, Thursday 15th September, and continues through to Tuesday 20th September 2022.

Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Funeral due to take place on Monday 19^th September, all LFW shows and events originally planned for the 19th have been rearranged or postponed. The updated schedule can be found here: www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

Men / womenswear designer Daniel W. Fletcher will commence this season’s scaled back event with this launch of his SS23 collection on the catwalk this evening. Business has been tough for fashion designers since Covid hit over two-years ago and events such as London Fashion Week have been totally reshaped and pared-back to include digital showrooms and events. This combined with Her Majesty’s passing has somewhat sedated the event, however the British Fashion Council is keen for the fashion industry to stand together and support participating brands and designers.

In a statement the BFC said:  

‘As a business-to-business event London Fashion Week will continue while observing Royal Protocol and the event will be dedicated to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with our own moments of respect. Having spoken to designers and industry members, we as an industry want to unite as a creative and business community to celebrate her legacy and commitment to creativity and design. 

The BFC and LFW will pay their respects by:

• All union flags will fly at half-mast
• There will be a one-minute silence at 8pm Sunday 18^th September at the Christopher Kane Show, with everyone be seated by 7.55pm
• The BFC invites personal tributes on the BFC website: https://www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk
• The NEWGEN Venue at Selfridges Hotel will have space for the industry to write tributes 
• Post event both the online tributes and those written at our venue will be placed in a condolence book for the Royal Family
• No shows or events will take place on Monday 19^th September.
• All shows on Monday 19^th September have been rearranged.  
• All parties and events beyond collection presentations and catwalks to be postponed or scaled back to focus on business
• The BFC have encouraged media to share content across their social channels taking into consideration the mood of the nation. Content should position the industry and LFW as considerate to the times but an important vehicle for business. 
• Feedback from media is that they will continue to support shows daily as usual with a round up at the end of LFW. They will also continue to share content across social media channels; however, many have said that their original planned content will be scaled back and not include streetstyle.’

The FashionCapital team will respectfully report from the event with a round-up after the mourning period.

Images from the Paul Costelloe SS22 collection by Chris Daw