This article provides an insider’s guide to London Fashion Week for September 2023, highlighting key events and shows beyond the usual big-name designers like McQueen, Mulberry, and Marks & Spencer. It covers specific dates and times for lesser-known but intriguing presentations such as Mithridate’s debut show, Barbour’s interactive exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, eBay’s charity-focused runway event, and Harris Reed’s theatrical evening showcase. The piece also mentions public-access events like Bella Freud’s collection launch and Rachel Cusk’s discussion on her book "Life of M" hosted by Rejina Pyo.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-16,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
London Fashion Week in September features a mix of returning and new brands. Alexander McQueen, after spending time in Paris, returns to London, while Christopher Kane debuts his designs for Mulberry. Additionally, retail giant Marks & Spencer surprises with its entry into the fashion week schedule. Established designers like Erdem, Emilia Wickstead, and Richard Quinn also showcase their Spring/Summer 2027 collections.
The week includes notable events such as a discussion on protest fashion at magCulture in Clerkenwell, featuring designer Katharine Hamnett, moderated by i-D magazine’s Steff Yotka. On the same day, Yasuko Furuta of Toga presents her forward-thinking trends.
Thursday, September 17 highlights events like Mithridate's show with Chinese craftsmanship influences under Daniel Fletcher and a special presentation by Barbour at the Saatchi Gallery exploring tartan reimagining. These events offer insiders and enthusiasts alike an engaging look into fashion innovation and heritage.
Written for “London Fashion Week Guide” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
By now, you will have probably gathered that this London Fashion Week is full of pleasingly alliterative excitement: McQueen’s return from a Parisian sojourn, Mulberry’s debut under Christopher Kane, Marks & Spencer’s surprising yet confident foray into the schedule.
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Week → gather → schedule
Holding firm will be the familiar big ticket stalwarts showing their SS27 collections — Erdem, Emilia Wickstead, Richard Quinn and, to close things out, Burberry.
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stalwarts → hold → things
But what about the rest of the goings-on that will occur during this wild and wonderful week?
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that → occur → week
Who are the names to drop, where are the pop-ups to check out, which of the after-parties are worth a crash attempt?
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which → drop → parties
Here’s a diary of everything you need to know — don’t let the editors, buyers and egos have all the fun…
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editors → ’ → fun
The first show to know is Mithridate.
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show → know → ?
At the helm of this particular ship is Daniel Fletcher, who stepped in as artistic director last year.
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who → step → director
You bet.
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You → bet → ?
Head to the Saatchi Gallery to see the brand’s “immersive, multi-sensory” takeover, which will include a live working factory installation.
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which → head → installation
Things will kick off with an exclusive press event but it will be open to the public on September 18 and 19 at 4.30pm.
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it → kick → 4.30pm
Adwoa Aboah, Giles Deacon and Raven Smith have donated pieces from their archives and all proceeds will go to charity.
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proceeds → donate → charity
A Thursday evening at London Fashion Week can only mean Harris Reed, which, in turn, can only mean theatrical designs and precarious heels.
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which → mean → designs
Reed sometimes calls on his A-list pals to get involved (Florence Pugh opened one of his shows last year with a dramatic monologue), so this is one worth watching out for online.
6pm, invite only.
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this → call → monologue
It will be first-come, first-served at the launch of Bella Freud’s AW26 collection, which will take place in the designer’s Chiltern Street store and include a masterclass with stylist Thea Lewis-Yates.
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which → come → Yates
Fame, Power, Beauty and Truth in Rachel Cusk’s Life of M
This might be the hottest non-show ticket there is: designer Rejina Pyo discussing the book of the moment.
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Pyo → be → moment
Tickets have sold out, but head to Pyo’s Soho store between 10am and 5pm to see a pop-up Life of M shop featuring signed copies and audio recordings
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Tickets → sell → copies
The retailer usually puts on a starry show, so this is another one to watch out for on social media.
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this → put → media
Plus, you’ll be able to shop the pieces before long.
8pm, invite only.
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you → shop → long
Friday, September 18
BFC Jewellery Showcase at Dover Street Market
Anyone can walk into this glittering showcase, featuring established and emerging jewellery names.
11-7pm, public event.
M&S
You know you’re intrigued.
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you → walk → event
Keep an eye on socials for this one, then get ready to hot foot it to your nearest branch before everything sells out.
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everything → keep → branch
Topshop & Topman party
It might not be showing, but you couldn’t expect Topshop to bow out of all the LFW fun.
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Topshop → show → fun
This promises to be one of the weekend’s biggest after-parties.
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This → promise → parties
Another big name returning to LFW is Lulu Guinness, who will be unveiling a surrealist reinterpretation of her iconic lips clutch bag at Fortnum & Mason.
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who → return → Fortnum
Press get a preview, but then it’s open to the public.
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it → get → public
Talia Byre
A fashion editor favourite, Talia Byre is one to name drop.
10am, invite only.
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Byre → drop → ?
Your favourite fashion caff is coming back to the Corner Shop at 180 the Strand.
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caff → come → Strand
Patrick McDowell
A kind soul with a remarkable lack of ego, Patrick McDowell is one of the most exciting London Fashion Week names to know.
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McDowell → know → names
Making Trouble: 40 Years of Political Tees
Head to magCulture shop in Clerkenwell to see i-D magazine editor-in-chief Steff Yotka discuss protest fashion and slogan T-shirts with Katharine Hamnett and Johnny Banger.
2pm, public event.
Toga
Toga designer Yasuko Furuta is always ahead of the curve when it comes to trends.
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it → make → trends
.
3pm, invite only.
OpenAREA Flock Together
Nunhead Cemetery might not sound like the most obvious LFW hotspot, but it will play host to an intriguing event from POC birdwatching movement Flock Together, including a guided walk and a sonic exhibition.
5pm, public event.
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it → sound → walk
You can rely on Rocha to put on a good show.
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You → rely → show
Plus, it’s always fun to look out for celeb cameos on her catwalk — Alexa Chung, Bel Powley and Fiona Shaw are among previous stars.
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Chung → ’ → stars
It’s usually a joy to see Edeline Lee’s structured, feminine designs, and this season will almost certainly prove no exception.
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season → ’ → designs
A starry front row, agenda-setting designs — what’s not to like about an Erdem show?
12pm, invite only.
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what → set → show
One to watch if you’re intrigued by colour combinations to know.
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you → watch → combinations
Labrum
Fashion designer Foday Dumbuya always draws a cool crowd.
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Dumbuya → draw → crowd
Colour us intrigued.
3pm, invite only.
McQueen
Here we go!
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we → colour → us
McQueen is back for the first time since switching to Paris in 2001.
8pm, invite only.
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McQueen → switch → 2001
It’s definitelyworth worth checking out the brilliant British-Nigerian designer’s latest collection — the King popped up at his last show.
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King → ’ → show
You know Burbs will go out with a star-studded bang.
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Burbs → know → bang
The Aporia
