London Fashion Week has wrapped up its Autumn/Winter 2025 edition, offering designers and fashion enthusiasts alike a fresh glimpse at upcoming trends. The iconic runway was alive once again, showcasing not just the creativity of renowned designers but also presenting the unique flair of independent fashion houses.
The fashion season finished with Burberry’s quintessentially British show, which featured countryside-inspired garments rife with leather, tartan, and check—this blend capturing the crowd's attention as celebrities such as Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz Beckham, Lauryn Hill, and Anna Wintour graced the front row. The energy was palpable, especially with surprise celebrity appearances during various shows, including Florence Pugh, who delivered theatrical monologues, and models such as Naomi Campbell who added star power to the runway.
This year’s edition took on a markedly muted tone compared to previous years, with fewer influencer appearances and some big names like JW Anderson opting out. Despite this, the ultimate expression of fashion was vibrant, featuring independent designers who mingled creativity with cultural commentary—showcasing garments like Harris Reed’s punk-inspired sheer pieces and Richard Quinn’s homage to London through literal winter wonderlands.
The key trends from this season are expected to dominate wardrobes throughout the fall and winter. Beginning with 80s-inspired power dressing, fashion artisans embraced bold silhouettes complete with padded shoulders and oversized blazers. Designers like Paul Costelloe encapsulated strong, hourglass silhouettes, marrying elegant details with modern strong forms. Florence Pugh’s plea to ‘be brave and unapologetically you’ at Harris Reed included elaborate, cinched gowns reminiscent of iconic fairy-tale dresses.
Next, leather made its powerful mark, flaunting itself across nearly every runway—from Burberry’s trench coats to vibrant, party-ready leather bustier dresses at Sinead Gorey’s show. Notably, Sinead O’Dwyer introduced leather kilts and punk styles, asserting leather's adaptability across different fashion sectors. Whether combined with ready-to-go styling or transformed through bold colors, leather remains ever-present.
Then came the playful prints, which replaced the once-dominant theme of quiet luxury. Designs from Bora Aksu featured floral motifs woven intricately amid polka dots, tartans, and vibrant checks, making waves on the catwalk. Meanwhile, Burberry presented classic patterns with thrilling twists, such as herringbone and colorful floral accents, ensuring prints remain both fun and versatile heading forward.
Lace returns as another cherished fabric, with designers like Richard Quinn utilizing sheer materials to create ethereal gowns, pushing boundaries of traditional wear. Simone Rocha’s collections beautifully wove lace tendrils through slip dresses, uniting grace and allure, reminiscent of historic close-knit fabrics. Other trends have also emerged, such as Bimba Y Lola’s panelled lace maxi skirt, showcasing how to fuse historical designs with modern sensibilities.
Lastly, textures played no small role throughout the showcases, as echoed by Toga and Sinead Gorey, who brought faux fur and shaggy outerwear back to the forefront. The diversity of chunky knits mixed with suede fabrics, championed by designers such as Simone Rocha, is sure to dominate the cooler months, presenting both warmth and style as we transition from fall to winter.
London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2025 created waves through both haute couture and street-style spectacles, ensuring us all to stay curious about fashion’s ability to blend art with emotional expression. Whether through the dramatic elevation of past trends or through the experimental spirit of independent designers, London set forth the sartorial groundwork for the seasons to come.