Purpose and plurality: Harrods buyer names Erdem_ Burberry among best LFW shows

London Fashion Week has officially wrapped up its autumn/winter 2026 edition_ and the opinions of industry insiders are continuing to roll in. According to director of buying_ fashion at Harrods_ Simon Longland_ for this season_ London resisted “reduction to a single trend”.

“The breadth and diversity of brands on show make it difficult—and arguably unnecessary—to define a uniform direction_” he said following the season_s wrap. “This plurality is precisely what gives London its distinct energy and enduring relevance among the four major fashion weeks.”

While unable to specify an overarching trend_ Longland did identify his favourite collections_ including that of Burberry_ Emilia Wickstead_ Patrick McDowell and Joseph.

Erdem_ which celebrated its 20th anniversary_ was also among the top collections cited by Longland_ who further stated that its show was the best to have “met the moment”_ for serving as “both a celebration of heritage and a clear statement of continued relevance”.

Without disclosing the standout emerging brands for fear of oversharing_ Longland confirmed that there were indeed a number of newer names that aligned with Harrods_ direction. The retailer is therefore planning to introduce these fresh faces into its assortment “in due course”.

When speaking on what shift could be felt this season_ Longland said: “While London retains its energy_ there is a noticeable shift in focus towards craft_ quality and_ ultimately_ wearability. The most compelling collections are those that balance creativity with a sense of purpose and longevity.”