London Fashion Week to go ahead but Burberry and Raf Simons cancel shows following passing of The Queen

London Fashion Week will go ahead from 16-20 September but it will be a pared back affair as brands are asked to show consideration for the national 10-day mourning period following the death yesterday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Her Majesty's funeral will take place on Monday 19 September, and British luxury brand Burberry was the first to confirm its show will not be taking place as a mark of respect.

In addition designer Raf Simons, whose show was one of the mostly hotly anticipated of the season and was due to take place on 16 September, has also cancelled his show. 

"As the country enters a period of official mourning, we will pause during this time of great sadness. We will take this time to respect the legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her 70 years on the throne. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family and the people of the Commonwealth," Raf Simons said in a statement.

While London Fashion Week organiser, the British Fashion Council (BFC), has said that shows may go ahead it is asking designers not to release images until after the 10-day mourning period has concluded and it is advising the cancellation of non-essential events, such as parties.

“London Fashion Week is a business-to-business event and an important moment for designers to show their collections at a specific moment in the fashion calendar, we recognise the work that goes into this moment,” the BFC said in a statement. “Therefore, shows and presentations of collections can continue but we are asking that designers respect the mood of the nation and period of national mourning by considering the timing of their image release.”

There BFC has also advised fashion retailers to close on the day of The Queen's funeral. A number of retailers have decided to keep their doors closed today as a mark of respect with Selfridges, Mulberry and Liberty already confirming that they will remain closed until this Saturday.

When news of the Monarch's passing at the age of 96 was announced yesterday the British Fashion Council led tributes remembering her surprise visit to London Fashion Week in February 2018 when she attended the catwalk show of Richard Quinn, the first recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design (pictured above).

The BFC said: "We are devastated to hear of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II whose reign will be marked in history as one of empathy, strength and grace. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family as we celebrate The Queen’s life and remember her extraordinary legacy. It was a great honour in 2018 to host Her Majesty at London Fashion Week to launch the QEII Award for British Design which recognises design excellence and positive impact. Her Majesty’s effortless style, charm and sense of fun was evident and her passion in supporting young creatives will continue to inspire the next generation."