London Fashion Week SS24 Highlights: a stellar showing for Burberry
Kylie Minogue, Rachel Weisz, Sir Mo Farah and Jodie Comer were among the stars who turned out in Burberry to watch the British fashion house's London Fashion Week show this afternoon. And there were plenty of stars, both in terms of the models and the looks shown, on the catwalk too.
Burberry was the hottest ticket of the season and was Bradford-born Daniel Lee’s second outing at London Fashion Week as chief creative officer of the brand, having taken over from Riccardo Tisci in September 2022.
After choosing Kennington Park as the location for his first show, Lee settled on another green space for this season, setting up a large tent with a green checked print on top in Highbury Fields, north London.
The outfits on the runway were a much more classic take on the Burberry aesthetic. Lee’s first season received mixed reviews, with some saying Lee strayed from the brand’s DNA and introduced too many quirky elements, such as woollen hats that looked like ducks and hot water bottles used as bags.
For this show, Lee put the focus on Burberry’s signature product, the trench coat. Alongside more traditional cuts, he reimagined the style in multiple ways – with sleeveless versions, cropped styles and a bomber-trench hybrid.
Lee made the trench the star of the show (Ian West/PA)
Lee is making bright blue Burberry’s hallmark colour under his tenure, dubbing it 'Knight Blue' in a nod to the Equestrian Knight on the brand’s logo. There were flashes of blue throughout the collection, from collars to check patterns.
The runway was as star-studded as the front row, with some of the biggest names in British fashion on the catwalk. Adwoa Aboah (main image) walked in an on-trend set of a patterned shirt and relaxed knee-length shorts, and was joined by models Neelam Gill, Leomie Anderson, Liberty Ross and Jean Campbell among others.
Liberty Ross in a dropped waist trench
Elsewhere on the runway, floral and checked gowns had scooped backs, and an emphasis was put on chic accessories – including oversized belt bags, under-arm handbags and glittering clutches.
Lee tapped into the trend for goth glam make-up in the beauty looks, with many of the models sporting dark lipstick.
A shirtless model closed the show (Ian West/PA)
While it was a more traditional collection than last season, it still felt fresh and modern, and there was a hint of irreverence at the end, when a male model closed the show in low-rise bright blue trousers, a statement belt with Burberry’s Equestrian Knight logo as a buckle, and no shirt.
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Lee has been building anticipation for the show with various stunts, such as renaming Bond Street tube station Burberry Street, and taking over Norman’s Cafe in Archway – turning it into a Burberry-style greasy spoon, with lots of blue check and even a visit from former Great British Bake Off judge Mary Berry.
Off the catwalk, more looks from Burberry's AW23 collection were showcased on the many celebrities in attendance. Kylie Minogue, who performed at London Fashion Week’s opening party, wore a leather-look green coat to watch the show, paired with the unusual colour combination of purple shoes.
Kylie Minogue in green leather-look trench (Lucy North/PA)
Green was a common theme among attendees. Rachel Weisz, who recently starred in TV series Dead Ringers, also wore a green trench coat, but in a matte material and with a more voluminous silhouette, and wide-legged patterned trousers underneath.
Rachel Weisz continued the green theme (Lucy North/PA)
Retired long-distance runner Sir Mo Farah opted for a pared-back look that was unmistakably Burberry – a trench coat with the brand’s nova check lining, and the same print emblazoned on his shoes.
Sir Mo Farah champions the check (Lucy North/PA)
Killing Eve star Jodie Comer channelled transitional dressing for the occasion, wearing a strapless checked knee-length dress, paired with black riding boots.
Jodie Comer in check dress and riding boots (Lucy North/PA)
Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and actor husband Jason Statham were also in attendance – Huntington-Whiteley in a classic Burberry trench and oversized sunglasses, while Statham wore a black jacket with an olive jumper underneath and matching eyewear.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Statham (Lucy North/PA)
Naomi Ackie, who portrayed Whitney Houston in I Wanna Dance With Somebody, wore an autumnal outfit of wide-legged green and white checked trousers and diamond-patterned top.
Naomi Ackie gets in on the green theme (Lucy North/PA)
Also picking up on the green and white theme was American actress Gabrielle Union, who wore a chic green checked belted coat.
Gabrielle Union in green check (Lucy North/PA)
Other attendees included Arsenal footballer Bukayo Saka, Blur singer Damon Albarn, The Banshees Of Inisherin star Barry Keoghan and model Jourdan Dunn, all keen to see Lee unveil his spring/summer 2024 collection.
With a star-studded front row giving their seal of approval and a more wearable collection, it looks like Lee has hit his stride at Burberry.
