Fashion royalty, British designers, Influencers, and VIPs descended on a very wet and windy London Fashion Week, braving the elements and storm Eunice to visit shows from designers including Molly Goddard, Matty Bovan, Simone Rocha and newcomers POSTER GIRL, Conner Ives, Nensi Dojaka and Ahluwalia. Trends that emerged from the catwalks appeared to be a nostalgic homage to what was once the highlight of one’s pre-pandemic wardrobe, full of glitz, glamour, and bright colours. 

Trend Forecasting for AW22 

 Ahead of the shows, Autumn/Winter 2022 style forecasts predicted trends of ‘euphoria’ or ‘dopamine dressing’, fuchsia colours, cut-out exposure dressing, gloves, baby doll dresses, Après ski ‘goes clubbing’ and Americana or ‘varsity’ style. This was reflected on the catwalk this February with fringing, feather trims, sequins, and rhinestone embellishments, neon and primary brights, satin, lace and velvet, voluminous silhouettes, and ruffles upon ruffles, all being spotted on several runways for AW22.  

Après Ski Goes Clubbing 

LFW’s take on après ski showcased the evolution of heritage fair isle styles, transforming the traditional into cooler, grungier, statement pieces made for the club. Designers POSTER GIRL, Mark Fast, and House of Sunny paired barely-there mini dresses with furry snow boots and exaggerated puffer jackets, alongside technical, ski-inspired trousers and jackets, paired with mini-baguette bags. 

Americana 

Matty Bovan, Commission, Charles Jeffrey Loverboy, and Temperley London all had the US of A on the brain this season. Temperley London took a trip to the Wild West with wide-brimmed fedoras, neckties, and riding boots. Designer, Commission made the trend the most wearable, taking American motifs – denim, belt buckles, cowboy boots, leather trousers, bolo neckties, star motifs and updating them with classic tailoring and knitwear. 

All About The Gloves 

Move over hosiery; for AW22 it was all about gloves taking center stage. Embroidered lace gloves were sported at Bora Aksu, beaded embellishment at Simone Rocha, football gloves at David Koma, and puffer gloves at Mark Fast.  

Robyn Lynch X Columbia Collaboration 

Robyn Lynch’s solo catwalk debut showcased an innovative approach to upcycling and sustainability, with pieces inspired by her Irish youth, apres-ski, and a continuation of her collaboration with outdoor specialists Columbia. 

Building on her SS22 collaboration with Columbia, Lynch highlighted the potential of existing deadstock by upcycling 10 jackets using the outerwear brand’s innovative ‘Outdry’ technology made from environmentally conscious materials. Columbia’s foldable rain jackets were also transformed into cropped puffers with scalloped edge sleeves, promising the ability to expand into new dimensions. 

The collection also utilised technical fabrics, re-working sustainable materials such as nylon (made from ocean waste), contrasting against reflective thread and beaded embroidery to add a new sensualness to the traditional codes of masculine sportswear. 

LFW Street Style 

Arguably, the most exciting part of LFW is the Street Style, and this year did not disappoint. Influencers, Fashion Editors, and celebrities dressed the part in a true celebration of fashion. There was no holding back on the glitz and glamour, with the style set donning bold suits, colourful dresses, and statement coats finished with accessories in bright, dazzling colours.