London Fashion Week. It is an event that virtually everyone has heard about in the UK. In fact, as it is part of the ‘big four’ Fashion Weeks, this bi-annual celebration of creativity, emerging trends, and designers is known around the globe.
Fashion aficionados, models, buyers, and those who want to know which celebs are sat in the front row – there are many different people that have a vested interest in London Fashion Week. Yet despite its influence over the world of fashion, the event only began back in 1984.
Its start was also a lot humbler than the current glitzy extravaganza it is today. Let’s take a look at just how it has changed.
In the beginning
To illustrate this point, research from Betway Casino has revealed just how much London Fashion Week has changer over the last 37 years. After the creation of the British Fashion Council a year earlier, the inaugural London Fashion Week was held in February 1984. The majority of the event didn’t grace one of the capital’s major arenas or landmarks. It actually took place in a car park.
That’s right: the first London Fashion Week was held in the Commonwealth Institute’s car park. Admittedly, that car park is situated in swanky Kensington, so it wasn’t like it was hosted in a car park outside a Lidl. Nothing against Lidl, by the way.
The original London Fashion Week only featured a total of 25 designers that worked on 15 catwalk shows. While the numbers weren’t impressive, the line-up of talent certainly made up for it. The shining light was fashion design icon Vivienne Westwood.
Even though it was small in size, the first London Fashion Week was undoubtedly a success. Its long-term future was secured after the event was deemed worthy of receiving funding from the British government. From there, the touchpaper was lit.
A modern marvel
The latest pre-pandemic London Fashion Week, which took place in February 2020, helped to demonstrate just how far the event has grown over the years.
Remember the car park which was home to the first London Fashion Week? Well, that has been upgraded to the Strand’s The Store X. This central London venue is certainly more fitting for the luxury, high-end clientele the event is aimed towards. The Somerset House courtyard also hosts additional exhibits under marquees.
The event has also grown exponentially in terms of numbers. For the 2020 London Fashion Week, there was a total of 72 presentations and catwalk shows – a significant increase on the 15 during the inaugural event. In addition, there was a 1,000%+ growth in the number of designers in comparison to the first London Fashion Week, with over 250 designers showcasing their collections.
Those designers are not just there for the show, either. It is said the 2020 London Fashion Week saw orders exceed £100 million, with savvy buyers hoping to stay with the trends and ensure the businesses they feature the latest and greatest in the world of fashion.
