LFW SS26: A reset filled with milestones and debuts

London Fashion Week_s spring/summer 2026 season officially kicks off on Thursday_ September 18_ and is being billed as a bold reset to drive the “next British fashion era_” spotlighting emerging talent such as Oscar Ouyang and Joshua Ewusie_ alongside fashion week stewards Burberry_ Erdem and Richard Quinn.

This season marks the British Fashion Council_s new chief executive_ Laura Weir_s first season in charge and will feature 18 percent more designers showing on-schedule_ as LFW looks to implement “a designer-first approach” that is “ambitious_ purposeful and rooted in the creative energy of London.”

While technically scheduled for five days_ from September 18 to 22_ London Fashion Week_s off-schedule events kick off tonight_ September 17_ with American fashion designer Jeff Garner bringing his sustainable fashion brand Prophetik to the iconic Tower of London to showcase his latest collection of plant-dye designs. The catwalk showcase coincides with the premiere of his new fashion documentary_ _Let Them Be Naked__ exposing the hidden toxins in clothing.

Designers celebrating milestones this season

The SS26 season is also marking several milestone moments_ from Roksanda celebrating her 20th anniversary to David Koma hosting an anniversary dinner for his 15th year in business_ to Patrick McDowell hosting a catwalk show before celebrating his 30th birthday.

Talent incubator Fashion East_ led by Lulu Kennedy_ is also marking its 25th year with a line-up featuring Barcelona-born designer and recent Central Saint Martins MA graduate_ Jacek Gleba_ making his Fashion East debut_ alongside fellow newcomer Mayhew_ the eponymous label by UK-based designer Louis Mayhew_ styled in collaboration with longtime creative partner Lara McGrath.

Fashion East will also be creating a London Fashion Week Hub_ in partnership with Dazed and Nike_ at the Institute of Contemporary Arts_ including a retrospective exhibition_ panel talks open to the public_ and film screenings_ designed to engage students_ fashion enthusiasts and the wider creative community from September 20 to 21.

Other designers marking milestones include Taiwanese designer Jenn Lenn_ returning to LFW to celebrate her 10th anniversary. Lee will be showcasing a collection inspired by the Eastern literary classic _Dream of the Red Chamber__ exploring themes of fragility_ nostalgia_ and emotional intensity. Her presentation on September 21 promises to blend “fashion_ performance_ and technology into an unforgettable showcase”.

British fashion brand Rixo will also be hosting a presentation for its 10th anniversary and to showcase its SS26 collection_ which will include designs featuring Liberty fabrics. The vintage-inspired label will also be celebrating with a limited-edition charity T-shirt to support War Child. The T-shirt comes in two colourways and was inspired by anti-war posters from the revolutionary 60s and 70s_ as well as the distinctive illustration styles of artists like Picasso.

The SS26 presentation will also start a year-long programme of celebrations for Rixo and a branded bus outside the venue_ which has been transformed into an exhibition charting the brand_s journey.

Debuts not to be missed

There are a number of newcomers to the LFW SS26 schedule_ including Oscar Ouyang_ an emerging designer who is redefining knitwear in menswear_ who joins the NewGen line-up_ alongside Joshua Ewusie_s eponymous label Ewusie_ Aletta_ Louther_ and Liza Keane_ as well as jewellery brands The Ouze and Octi.

There will also be catwalk and presentation debuts from Dreaming Eli_ Kseniaschnaider_ Kyle Ho_ Lucia Safdie_ Rory William Docherty and adaptive label Unhidden.

In addition_ LFW will welcome Indian designer Anamika Khanna to the schedule to mark her inaugural appearance on the international catwalk circuit for her contemporary label AK|OK.

On joining the line-up_ Khanna said in a statement: "London represents a fearless creative expression_ a natural outcome of its rich cultural diversity. I cannot envision a more appropriate platform for AK|OK to meet the world."

Hungarian contemporary fashion brand Nanushka will also make its LFW debut with a catwalk showcase on September 22_ featuring womenswear_ menswear_ and accessories. The Budapest-based label has previously showcased at New York Fashion Week and its local Budapest Central European Fashion Week.

Stepping away from the catwalk

While JW Anderson might not be hosting a catwalk show this season for his signature label_ the Northern Irish designer has instead decided to stage a "special evening event" in collaboration with the BFC on September 19 to celebrate the relaunch of the brand into a lifestyle label centred around “objects of elevated craftsmanship”.

Anderson is also collaborating with Google Pixel for the exclusive dinner to connect the “worlds of technology_ creativity and fashion”. He will use Gemini on Pixel to bring to life product imagery through animated art to highlight the creativity of his _Cabinet of Curiosities_ and tell the story of the brand_s new direction.

The BFC adds that the partnership aims to empower the future of British creativity in the age of AI_ “equipping designers with the right tools and knowledge to embrace tech innovation during their creative process”.

London Fashion Week SS26 runs from September 18 to 22

Other highlights for SS26 include Patrick McDowell_ this year_s winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design_ who will be unveiling his new brand identity as he repositions his namesake brand for “continued growth and creative exploration_” and BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund winner Conner Ives_ who will also be returning to the catwalk.

Swedish fashion giant H&M will also return to the schedule with a “fresh and exciting runway format_” as it looks to continue to reinforce its “elevated design direction”.

Completing the on-schedule line-up includes Bora Aksu_ Mithridate_ Noon by Noor_ Harri_ Labrum London_ Edeline Lee_ Kent & Curwen_ Talia Byre_ Susan Fang_ Malone Souliers_ Ashish_ Aaron Esh_ Charlie Constantinou_ Johanna Parv_ Karoline Vitto_ Kazna Asker_ Lueder_ Pauline Dujancourt_ Steve O Smith_ The Winter House_ Tolu Coker_ and Yaku.