London Fashion Week just wrapped up, presenting an exciting array of trends for Autumn/Winter 2025. This season's showcase was particularly noteworthy due to its blend of nostalgia, functionality, and the unmistakable influence of club culture.
One of the standout features of this year’s fashion week was the significant revival of faux fur. This style was particularly evident at Burberry, where Daniel Lee introduced cross-hatched jackets alongside other pieces adorned with plush textures. Simone Rocha also embraced faux fur, showcasing dresses, tops, and even whimsical fur-laden bunnies as part of her collection.
Club culture made its mark on the runway too, with several designers referencing the vibrant nightlife. Sinead Gorey, for example, presented an ode to the post-party “walk of shame,” encapsulating the spirit of the club scene. Meanwhile, LUEDER went so far as to recreate the electric atmosphere of raves during their presentation, highlighting the fusion of fashion and nightlife.
Functionality remained central to many designers' visions this season, as showcased by Fashion East’s Olly Shinder. He merged functionality with elevated tailoring, creating wearable styles for the modern individual. Johanna Parv also contributed to this trend, offering deconstructed pieces focused on practicality without sacrificing style.
The nostalgia factor shone through at various presentations. At Simone Rocha, attendees were transported back to their school days, with pieces reminiscent of high school attire. Chet Lo brought back the Y2K aesthetic, complete with crimped hair. Accessories echoed this sentiment too, with pieces mirroring jewelry often found tucked away at the back of closets.
Echoing historical motifs, the vampire aesthetic, popularized by films and Gothic culture, found its place at LFW as well. Dilara Findikoglu presented garments with vampy elements, reminiscent of styles Lily-Rose Depp would embrace, coupled with models wearing dramatic vampire teeth during the Di Petsa show.
Overall, this season’s Fashion Week felt like both a nod to the past and a glance toward future trends. The subdued financial atmosphere didn't dampen creativity; instead, it encouraged designers to think outside the box and instill their collections with meaningful references to both history and modernity.
For those keeping track of style, 2025 is set to be the year of integration—where traditional craftsmanship begins to marry modern aesthetics, creating timeless piece after timeless piece. This blend of comfort and sophistication is reflected well by Rahul Khanna of Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna, who emphasized, "We’ve embraced this shift through layered styles and softer fits, marrying functionality with elegance."
Quiet luxury also emerged as a major theme, particularly with brands like Shanti Banaras, which showcased the richness of heritage through sophisticated designs. Khushi Shah, creative director for the brand, noted, "It’s about showcasing the richness of our heritage—subtle, timeless, and truly luxurious. This appreciation for understated elegance promises to resonate strongly as we move forward. Many consumers are gravitating toward those designs which fuse historical craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics."
Shimmer is another trend slated to continue its rise, now reimagined for more casual settings instead of traditional occasion wear. Designer Anavila Misra mentioned this evolution, sharing how her collection blurred lines between high-end shimmer and everyday wear, explicitly stating, "We will continue to explore how shimmer can add depth and elegance to our designs."
The emphasis on pearls—a timeless accessory—showed no signs of fading either. Arpita Mehta highlighted the versatility of pearls, showcasing pieces feature intricately embroidered designs. "This trend will continue to shine, redefining luxury with its understated charm and versatility," she said.
Another unique accessory trend observed was the use of books. Designers like Emilia Wickstead experimented with retro newspapers as clutches. This concept not only provides functionality but also integrates cultural symbolism, making books integral to personal style narratives.
All these elements combined to make London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2025 not just an event of clothing display, but rather a celebration of creativity, flexibility, and innovation. Designers clearly reveled in exploring past motifs, modern sensibilities, and reshaping them to fit today’s fashion climate.
With the blend of nostalgia meeting modern styling, LFW AW25 is shaping up to be both reflective and progressive, promising exciting trends for fashion enthusiasts everywhere.