London Fashion Week kicks off with bold vision from BFC CEO Laura Weir

Marking her first season as CEO of the British Fashion Council, Laura Weir officially opened London Fashion Week this morning with a clear message: this is the beginning of a new era for British fashion.

"London Fashion Week is a sensational showcase of creative fashion design talent. I have an ambition to make fashion's most magnetic exposition of excellence, in the world," she said.

Weir’s vision is rooted in accessibility, cultural relevance, and global visibility. She’s already making moves to remove barriers and inject new energy into the schedule - loosening entry criteria, waiving fees, and ensuring the event reflects the full scope of British fashion creativity nationwide.

This season, the schedule welcomes back key names including Ashley Williams, Barbour, Alessandra Rich, and Alice Temperley, with a mix of shows, presentations, and buying appointments. "It is just the beginning," Weir shared.

"Secondly, we have doubled down on ambition," she added, referencing increased investment in the International Guest Programme, whose presence is "vital" for amplifying British talent on the global stage.

Weir also reflected on her visit to Parliament earlier this week, where a debate, tabled by former ASOS buyer and MP Rosie Wrighting, focused on the cultural contribution of London Fashion Week.

"One MP said the success of London Fashion Week is in the national interest - I could not agree more. Another reflected that there was no better showcase of British values out there. And yet, we know as an industry that there is often a lapse of respect for fashion and the contribution it brings to the UK," Weir reflected.

"This is not just a reset for the sake of it - the time is right and the time is now. Because when the lights go up on the catwalk, yes, we see the vision of a designer. We see craft, heritage, innovation and art. But stage left; there is another vast, unseen army at work.

"Seamstresses and pattern cutters, tailors and textile specialists, lighting technicians and sound engineers, drivers waiting in the rain, garment bags being couriered through London streets. Hotel rooms booked, black cabs hailed - every stylist, photographer, hairdresser, makeup artist, nail tech and model represents the living economy of London Fashion Week.

"That economy touches caterers, cleaners, printers, film crews, florists and thousands more. They are not peripheral figures and they certainly aren’t fluffy. They are the lifeblood of industry."

She closed with a rallying cry: "The world is watching this week. Let us show them what only London can do."

This season’s runway calendar features an exciting blend of heritage labels and bold newcomers. Burberry, Simone Rocha, Emilia Wickstead, and Erdem are back, while Roksanda celebrates her 20th anniversary with a show sure to highlight her signature mastery of colour and form.

There’s also a spirit of experimentation: Irish designer JW Anderson will forgo a traditional runway in favour of a "special evening event", reflecting how brands are evolving their storytelling and cultural presence.

And as always, NEWGEN, the BFC’s emerging talent initiative, continues to shine. This season, Aaron Esh, Johanna Parv, and Karoline Vitto are among the rising stars leading the charge.