That's a Wrap! All The Highlights You Need to Know from London Fashion Week AW26
From major designer comebacks to viral front-row moments, these were the standout stories
That's a wrap on another fabulous London Fashion Week, that took over the capital from February 19-23 as emerging talents and established designers alike presented their latest collections for the Autumn/Winter 2026 season. Not forgetting, of course, all the presentations, events, launches, parties, surprise celebrity appearances and street style moments that came alone with it, and ensured the schedule was jam-packed.
As always, there was a lot going on—so whether you were on the ground or not, I’ve rounded up all of the biggest highlights and standout stories that are well worth knowing.
London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2026 Highlights
The King at Tolu Coker
As far as celebrity appearances go, it doesn’t get much more major than a surprise visit from the King. On the first day of London Fashion Week, King Charles ensured that the season went off with a bang as he sat front row for Tolu Coker’s show, that also saw Little Simz perform.
Article continues belowThe Launch of Brand63Africa
King Charles was present for another key London Fashion Week moment—namely, the launch of Brand63Africa: a pioneering social enterprise dedicated to connecting designers of African heritage with the global luxury market. The inaugural cohort of brands includes Christie Brown, Abiola Olusola, Skein, Studio Namnyak and The Cloth, a group brought together by a creative committee chaired by Vanessa Kingori OBE.
Lily in London for Harris Reed
Emily In Paris star Lily Collins made a rare front-row appearance at Harris Reed's AW26 show, that was held in Claridge's grand ballroom. The actor wore a striking black bustier designed by Reed for the occasion, and was joined by stars including Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Joe Locke, and Nicky Hilton Rothschild.
Topshop's Next Chapter
Whilst Topshop didn't show this season, the British high-street brand still ensured it was part of proceedings—first, by hosting a glitzy party to celebrate its expansion into John Lewis, complete with a performance from Ella Eyre; then the announcement of an upcoming collab collection with Tolu Coker; and finally, by tasking Central Saint Martins students with reimagining its iconic Joni and Jamie jeans.
Real-World-Ready Clothes at Patrick McDowell
Patrick McDowell took a slightly different tack for his AW26 collection, focussing on "clothes that could step off the runway and into the world today" in lieu of more fantastical showpieces. The result? A line of elegant dresses, tailored separates, skirts, blouses and coats that "enhance the wearer's presence"—and act as a celebration of "beauty for beauty's sake".
Joseph's Grand Return
For the first time in almost a decade, Joseph returned to the LFW schedule and took over an industrial-style space in the Tate Modern for the occasion. The collection itself? A wonderfully wearable selection of statement coats, knits, suits, bags and a sizeable dose of snake print.
A Netflix Reunion at Mithridate
The unveiling of Mithridate's latest collection at Tate Britain doubled up as an unofficial reunion for some of Netflix's most prominent new-gen stars, as the likes of Paul Forman (Emily In Paris), Meg Bellamy (The Crown), Martins Imhangbe (Bridgerton) and Victor Alli (ditto) were peppered throughout the front row.
The Sugababes at Rotate
Much-loved Scandi brand ROTATE Birger Christensen closed out the second day of London Fashion Week with an epic party at The Standard, co-hosted by Amanda Lepore and with a surprise set by The Sugababes, who performed early-Noughties hits ‘Push the Button’ and ‘Round Round’.
Selasi Sports Day
Designer Ronan McKenzie took over a central London sports hall for a fashionable throwback to school sports lessons, complete with a bleep test, reworked kits from the Walthamstow School for Girls archive, Pangaia tracksuits, and a performance en pointe from the English National Ballet's Lauren Beharie.
Celebrating Curves at Karoline Vitto
At long last, some real body diversity on the runway courtesy of Karoline Vitto, feat. boobs, bums, curves and clothes that celebrate them in all their glory.
Jemima Kirke for Completedworks
Cult jewellery brand Completedworks called on Girls star Jemima Kirke to present its latest collection, continuing its tradition of putting on tongue-in-cheek performances in lieu of a traditional show. This time around, the micro-play took the form of a hyper-styled, televised dinner party in which 'lifestyle guru' Régine McQueen (played by Kirke) imparted her somewhat questionable top tips for being a perfect host, assisted by Camille Charrière. Guests were also treated to a first glimpse of the brand's upcoming Asics Gel-Kayano 20 trainers collection.
Labrum's Threads of Osmosis
Labrum London's AW26 collection, entitled 'Threads of Osmosis', explored migration and cultural exchange through globally sourced textiles grounded in sharp British tailoring. Team GB athlete Jazmin Sawyers and musician Kojey Radical both made a surprise runway appearance for the occasion, adding star power to the diaspora-focused show and offering a preview of pieces from an upcoming adidas x LABRUM running capsule.
Toga's World of Contrasts
Tokyo-based TOGA was one of the surprisingly few brands that put proper cold-weather clothes on the catwalk, with a collection featuring flashes of faux fur alongside playful layering, contrasting textures and fresh silhouettes.
Julien Macdonald Puts on the Glitz
Legendary Welsh fashion designer Julien Macdonald brought his signature dose of glitz, glamour and some much-needed fun to the schedule, with a show held atop the Shard to unveil a luxury resort-inspired collection of party pieces, bedazzled swimwear and sheer dresses aplenty.
Chet Lo's Night Market
For his AW26 show, Chet Lo transported guests to a vibrant Hong Kong night market—albeit reimagined in the ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge—complete with neon lights, stalls hosted by makers across the Asian diaspora, and models as its colourful characters clothed in newly sultry iterations of the designer's signature durian-fruit-inspired knitted spikes.
20 Years of Erdem
Erdem celebrated its 20th anniversary with an epic show at the Tate Britain, that saw models including Edie Campbell and Karen Elson hit the runway in a series of sculptural silhouettes, rich textures, sweeping gowns, and even some jeans (!)—all while the likes of Keira Knightley, Dame Helen Mirren, Ambika Mod, Ruth Wilson, Beth Ditto and Glenn Close sat front row.
Emilia's Contrasting Aesthetics
Emilia Wickstead's AW26 show read like a tale of two aesthetics, beginning with an elevated take on utilitarian dressing (complete with fresh denim details) before transitioning into a selection of red-carpet-worthy gowns.
adidas x Simone!
Some of the biggest news of the week? That Simone Rocha is collaborating with adidas on a capsule of classic clothes and shoes—all of which will receive her signature subversively feminine treatment. The designer's show served, in parts, as a preview of the upcoming collection, featuring everything from track tops and bomber jackets to shorts and sneakerinas emblazoned with a fresh new trefoil and the iconic three stripes.
Richard Quinn's Future Classics
Richard Quinn reimagined classic beauty for the present day with his AW26 collection, that contrasted a hyper-modern set and cheeky hints of latex with richly embroidered ballgowns that oozed old-world glamour.
Alexa at Malone Souliers
Malone Souliers' presentations are always a highlight, providing a moment of calm amidst the Fashion Week rush to simply enjoy browsing beautiful bags and shoes. Alexa Chung clearly got the memo, too, arriving at the Royal Academy location dressed the part in a trench, tee, cargo trousers and a pair of the brand's metallic pink heeled sandals.
Glam Grunge at Marques'Almeida
In a refreshing break from tradition, Marques'Almeida hosted an East London presentation to unveil its latest collection, that featured utilitarian, military-inspired designs alongside the glamorous and romantic in the brand's signature style. Plus, fresh takes on its most classic pieces, including acid-wash denim and snake-effect peplum tops, and voluminous green, pink and blue mikado pieces.
Surprise Guests at Conner Ives
Conner Ives has quite the natural knack for creating viral moments—just think of the now-iconic "Protect The Dolls" t-shirt that went stratospheric after his show a few seasons ago. For AW26, however, there were multiple surprises in store for guests: champagne on arrival at Claridge's, Kim Cattrall on the front row, a pooch on the runway, a final bridal look modelled by Dominique Jackson (aka, Tyra Allure Ross), and another epic Jimmy Choo collab.
Burberry's Star-Studded Finale
And last but certainly not least came Burberry—the show that has traditionally closed London Fashion Week for more than a decade, and that takes its grande finale role seriously. This season saw the British brand host one of its glitziest front-rows to date, bursting with the likes of Daisy Edgar-Jones, Kate Moss, Olivia Dean, Jodie Turner-Smith, Simone Ashley, Skepta, Leo Woodall and more, while Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Romeo Beckham took their turn on the runway to boot.
