LONDON – Given the upcoming funeral for Queen Elizabeth II and the ensuing period of grief, designers participating in London Fashion Week were compelled to make last-minute changes to the timing of their Spring 2023 shows.
Burberry, a Royal Warrant holder, has chosen September 26 at noon as the new date for its exhibition after being forced to postpone it on Saturday. After the Milan collections are finished and before Paris is introduced, the exhibition will be held in London. Burberry announced on Monday that the site would be confirmed soon.
The British government has urged businesses not to postone business activities in the wake of the queen’s passing last Thursday, except for Monday, which has been designated a public holiday.
To pay their respects to the queen, who will lay in state in at Westminster Hall from Wednesday until the funeral on Monday at 11 a.m., it is anticipated that over a million people will travel to London.
Downing Street warned Monday that commuters may want to “change their working patterns accordingly” as services will be “bustling,” and passengers are advised to “allow plenty of extra time for their journeys and to avoid driving where possible.” Transport for London has stated that services will be “hectic.”
Except for Monday, when there will be no shows or events, London Fashion Week will continue daily. It was initially scheduled to run from Friday through Sunday.
The British Fashion Council oversees the week and has also urged designers and firms to skip any parties or other customary celebrations.
The group is anxious to protect what has grown into a crucial marketing opportunity for designers whose companies suffered during the two years of lockdown brought on by COVID-19.
On the other hand, the BFC is organizing a celebration of London Fashion Week in October “with a focus on London as a creative capital,” which will involve citywide events and store activations.
Most of Monday’s activitites initially scheduled for September 10, including two shows by the South Korean fashion label Bmuet (te) and the Canadian-Chinese designer Susan Fang, who was shortlisted for the LVMH Prize.
To roudn off London Fashion Week, Richard Quinn, the first recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Award for British Design, has rescheduled his show from Sunday night to September 20 at 7 p.m.
Quinn is expected to honor the queen, who gave his design career a significant boost, by sitting in his front row and presenting him with the prize in 2018. She had never been to London Fashion Week before.
American fashion designer Harris Reed spoke out over the weekend to support fashion week.
To increase sales and brand exposure, he claimed that his fellow young designers “have put their entire brand budgets into their shows,” with the ultimate goal of growing their business rather than having to close or restructure them. At London Fashion Week, he said it’s more crucial than ever to stand by and support the smaller firms.
Greek fashion designer
Eftychia Karamolegkou, who resided in London and was scheduled to unveil her spring 2023 collection the following Monday morning, admitted that for little companies like hers, canceling a show is simply “not affordable.”
“I don’t have magazine advertising spreads. I can’t spend millions on a campaign, and this show is the only place I get any real visibility. Canceling a show that has been planned, prepared, and involves a team of people is equivalent to burning money for amusement. I prefer to make more environmentally friendly use of these banknotes,” she continued.
After graduating from Fashion East, American-Chinese designer Chet Lo was scheduled to host his solo catwalk debut on September 19. Additionally, he stated that “canceling a show that we’ve invested months and money in is not an option.”
“Of course, this is a significant event in British history that will change a lot of what it means to be British, but it’s a challenging position for a budding designer trying to make a living in London. Fashion Week is a significant source of cash for us, he continued.
The founder of the footwear company bearing her name, Romanian-born Ancuța Sarca, who now resides in London, said she was looking forward to her first in-person presentation in three years, which had been rescheduled for Sunday.
“Over the past few months, we’ve worked erratically. As U.K. coverage has been delayed until after the showcase, I’m hoping that the foreign reporters and buyers attending London Fashion Week will consider helping us with their presence.
The British Fashion Council (BFC) spoke with designers, brands, and members of the British fashion press before releasing a revised schedule on Monday afternoon.
Additionally, it included a schedule of initiatives, such as a moment of silence at the start of the showcase, a memorial wall where people can leave tributes to the queen, and new rules.
“The international fashion community” is asked by the BFC to attend London Fashion Week and support the designers’ incredibly labor-intensive presentations and collections.
Here is all the information you need to know about how the passing of Queen Elizabeth II has affected London Fashion Week, including which designers have postponed their shows, which are occupying new exhibition times, and which are continuing as scheduled.
New Slots
Eftychia
The Newgen catwalk area at the Old Selfridges Hotel will be open on September 20 at the same time as the Greek fashion designer Eftychia Karamolegkou’s regular Monday 10 a.m. time slot.
Chopova Lowena
The fashion team of Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena will replace Raf Simons on the runway at 8 p.m. on Friday instead of Monday for London Fashion Week. As already said, Simons won’t be playing in London this season.
Ancuţa Sarca
The company has changed the time of its presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Pronounce
The Shanghai and Milan-based label, established by Yushan Li and Jun Zhou, has changed the time of its performance from Monday at 1 p.m. to Thursday, September 20, at 4 p.m.
Sinead O’Dwyer
Her time slot has been changed from Monday at 2 p.m. to Monday, September 20, at the same hour.
Christopher Kane
The Scottish fashion designer, has shifted his spring 2023 presentation from Monday at 3 p.m. to Sunday at 8 p.m.
Dilara Findikoglu
She switched her time from Monday at 5 p.m. to Friday at 2 p.m.
Chet Lo
After graduating from Fashion Week, the American-Chinese designer has rescheduled his solo catwalk debut for Monday, September 20, at 6 p.m.
Emilia Wickstead
The London-based designer has rescheduled her presentation for September 20 at 12:30 p.m. from Monday at 10:30 a.m.
Paul & Joe
The company has switched its exhibition from Monday at 7 p.m. to Burberry’s original time on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Royal Warrant-holding company Burberry has rescheduled their display.
Helen Anthony
The time has changed from Mondays at 8 p.m. to Fridays at 10 a.m.
Roksanda
The company is still considering ideas for its spring 2023 exhibition, according to Roksanda. The brand’s initial time slot was on Monday at noon.
Susan Fang
On September 20, at 1 p.m. instead of 2, the Canadian-Chinese designer will make her London runway debut. The LVMH Prize finalist will present her spring 2023 collection by taking over the Marshall Street pool in the heart of London.
Richard Quinn
The first recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design—moved his show from Sunday night to September 20 at 7 p.m.
Canceled
Burberry
The business, which is an official supplier to the royal family and holds a Royal Warrant, has postponed its Saturday at 1 p.m. spring 2023 fashion show.
Raf Simons
The Belgian designer had been due to debut in London on Friday night and present his spring 2023 collection, but he has opted not to participate in London Fashion Week. The company hasn’t yet made its next move public.
Roberta Einer
The spring 2023 fashion presentation has been postponed by the Estonian designer. Instead, Einer will present a look book along with the spring 2023 collection. Throughout Paris Fashion Week, the brand will continue to present the line to journalists and wholesale customers.
Patrick McDowell
He has rescheduled his Monday performance at the Jimmy Choo Academy. A press preview of his future collection will be held this Thursday and Friday at the Jimmy Choo Academy while a different date is still being chosen.
Di Petsa
The company has postponed Monday’s presentation. On September 20, a digital look book will be unveiled.
Kaushik Velendra
The Indian menswear designer on Brook Street has opted to cancel his Friday night pre-Diwali celebration.
Edeline Lee
The designer was scheduled to reveal her newest line during a presentation on Monday between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., but she will now be taking appointments and holding a live runway show in February.
Purdey
The exclusive spring 2023 preview for the Compagnie Financière Richemont-owned, high-end British company that specializes in outdoor activities has been postponed.
Pariah Corp
The brand founded by Ivan Zinko, son of the fashion designer Natasha Zinko, has postponed its presentation on Sept. 20.
Prada Beauty
The Prada Paradoxe fragrance launch on Thursday evening has been postponed by the Milanese company. Soon, a new date will be made official.
