London Fashion Week AW26: A Century of Style Reimagined

London Fashion Week AW26 transported attendees through time, with designers drawing significant inspiration from the 18th century. Collections reimagined historical narratives with a thoroughly modern lens, featuring tailored bodices and muted palettes, as seen at Bora Aksu. This historical influence was also present at Erdem, with high necklines and ruffled details.

This season also highlighted striking bridal moments. Harris Reed debuted "Fluid Bridal," celebrating love across all genders with diverse looks. Patrick McDowell's collection, inspired by photographer George Platt Lynes, offered a tender reflection on intimacy through its bridal closing piece.

London Fashion Week AW26 leaned into minimalism, presenting cleaner silhouettes and polished lines. This trend was evident at the new Joseph show, which combined pared-back dressing with dramatic flair through bold jewelry and luxe textures. Paul Costelloe embraced broad 80s shoulders, while Karoline Vitto updated late 90s and early 00s shapes for contemporary wearability.

Corsetry was a prominent theme, with sculpted dresses and ethereal lace offerings. These pieces exuded power and modernity, often balanced by aggressive accessories like platform boots. The collections from Annie's and Dreaming Eli showcased this trend, emphasizing feminine strength.

Teamwork and collaboration were celebrated, with brands like Labrum and Dreaming Eli featuring their entire teams in runway finales. Edeline Lee marked 15 years with a book launch, honoring contributors. Julien Macdonald returned with a dazzling sequined collection from The Shard.

Despite global turbulence, London Fashion Week AW26 proved resilient, offering moments of whimsy and proving the city's indelible sparkle. The event successfully balanced grounding realism with enduring fashion magic.