LFW will demonstrate London is open for business post EU vote

British Fashion Council CEO Caroline Rush CBE has said London Fashion Week, which kicks off tomorrow, will demonstrate that the capital is open for business following the Brexit vote in June.

Speaking to the Evening Standard Rush said it was vital London demonstrated it was "open to outsiders and the UK is a place of business opportunity". The EU referendum in June had thrown a spotlight on the capital and it "had a point to prove" she said.

“We have a point to prove to our guests that the vote to leave the EU doesn’t mean we’re going to end our international partnerships and collaborations," said Rush.

“This is the first international event on our shores since the EU vote and it’s definitely sparked a lot of interest from all over the world. People want to know if London feels different. We need to send them a clear message that London is open to outsiders and the UK is a place of business opportunity.”

London Fashion Week kicks off tomorrow at the Brewer Street Carpark in Soho. During five days around 5,000 visitors from more than 80 countries will descend on London to see the shows. This season more than 80 designers will show on-schedule and a further 150 will show at the official exhibition.

The British Fashion Council recently released figures from Oxford Economics which showed that the British fashion industry now contributes £28bn to the economy, up £2bn when the figures were last released two years ago.

Prime Minister Theresa May upheld the tradition of Downing Street hosting a reception to mark London Fashion Week by welcoming industry guests this evening.