London Fashion Week SS26 schedule sees 18% designer uptick under new CEO

London Fashion Week is entering a new era. The British Fashion Council (BFC) has unveiled the provisional schedule for the Spring/Summer 2026 shows - the first edition led by newly appointed CEO Laura Weir -  and it signals bold changes with a designer-first approach.

Weir, who stepped into the CEO role just 12 weeks ago, has wasted no time in making structural changes. One of her first moves, waiving participation fees for BFC member designers showing physically in September, removes a major financial barrier for both emerging and independent names.

Running from 18 to 22 September, the September schedule sees an 18% increase in designers showing both physically and digitally compared to SS25.

"Every event and showcase we host will be intentional and magnetic," Weir said, highlighting the BFC’s intention to place designers at the heart of its strategy. That focus is intended to address a growing concern: "We are losing design talent… not because of a lack of creativity, but because of a lack of infrastructure to support our designers to make, create, show and importantly to scale in this country."

Big names returning to the schedule include Burberry, Erdem, Emilia Wickstead and Roksanda joined by independent and rising talents Harris Reed, Richard Quinn, Ahluwalia, Labrum London and Marques Almeida.

Designer Conner Ives will show in September for the first time, while Chopova Lowena returns with another highly anticipated show. Fresh creativity will come in truckloads via new names like Lucila Safdie, Dreaming Eli as well as Ukrainian brand Kseniaschnaider and adaptive fashion label Unhidden.

The BFC’s Newgen scheme will continue to spotlight next-gen names including Aaron Esh and Karoline Vitto.

Weir told TheIndustry.fashion: "This season marks my first as CEO of the British Fashion Council and 12 weeks into the role, I am pleased to announce an 18 % increase in designers showing physically and digitally on-schedule. My intention is to build on the foundations of LFW by focusing on cultural relevance, global competitiveness and meaningful support for designers.

"Last week, I announced some urgent strategic moves for September, which included waiving show fees for designer members showing physically on the main schedule and doubling the investment in the LFW Guest Programme to welcome more of the world’s leading press, cultural commentators and buyers to the city. This season signals a designer-first approach to LFW that is ambitious, purposeful and rooted in the creative energy of London."

The schedule also features a number of high-profile brand activations. H&M is set to stage a large-scale runway event titled The London Issue, promising a multi-sensory 'fashion experience'. Plus, JW Anderson will host a Friday night celebration with the BFC.