Our tans are fading and we’ve stopped finding sand in every crevice. Just as we’ve broken in our flip-flops, it’s time to put them away again. As we near the end of August, most of the population will be thinking about going back to work and school. But for those working in fashion, a mammoth SS27 ready-to-wear season awaits. As usual, things kick off in the Big Apple on September 10, before heading to London the following week. And there’s a lot going on. Between the grand returns, the debuts and the off-schedule secret plans (watch this space for the lowdown on those), there’s a lot of information to brush-up on. Allow us to assist…
Petra Fagerström AW26
Gallery / 16 images
There’s a whole host of new faces this season. After making her on-schedule debut in February, Swedish designer Petra Fagerström is set to host her debut runway show. Alongside her will be fellow CSM graduate, Portuguese designer Gui Rosa, who becomes the latest talent to join the NEWGEN cohort. After joining NEWGEN last summer, Liza Keane will be one to watch – we’ve been fans since 2023 (as has Julia Fox) and all eyes will be on her upcoming debut catwalk show.
Aletta was reborn as A Letter at the start of 2026, meaning that technically, come September, the brand is set to make its runway debut under the new name. It’ll also be a first for Leeds university menswear graduate Geordie Campbell, who caught the industry’s attention earlier this summer with his ‘Queer Boy’ graphic tees.
Oscar Ouyang SS26
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Then there’s the names that we’re already acquainted with – designers who are still on the rise, but we know what they’re about by now. Oscar Ouyang falls into this category, who returns with his third catwalk show on Friday 19. Paolo Carzana no doubt has something special planned – he’s building a reputation for his magical settings (no pressure Paolo) – while other names to note down include Francesca Lake, Talia Byre, Charlie Constantinou, Lucila Safdie and Selasi.
E.W.USIE will be hosting appointments across the weekend, meanwhile Saul Nash will be curating a three-day pop-up. Of course, everyone will also be interested to see how Tolu Coker tops her last show, during which the king made a surprise entrance.
Chopova Lowena SS26
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Of the various fashion weeks that happen around the world and throughout the year, September’s ready-to-wear season is by far the biggest. With the rising costs of putting on a fashion show, several independent London brands prefer to show once a year, skipping the February shows in favour of September. These include brands like Ahluwalia, Chopova Lowena and Aaron Esh, meanwhile KNWLS returns to the London Fashion Week schedule following a two-year hiatus, during which it made its Milan debut.
Photography Robin Galiegue
Historically, Burberry has been the biggest name on the LFW schedule. But this season, it’s got competition. It was announced earlier this year that McQueen would make its grand return to London after 25 years of showing in Paris. Undoubtedly, the brand will bring its supermodel casting and celebrity front row with it. Elsewhere, Christopher Kane is due to make his debut as creative director of Mulberry, which will be another major moment.
The London jewellery scene has been slowly carving out a space for itself on the LFW schedule. Of the current NEWGEN line-up, two of the designers are exciting independent jewellers, OCTI and The Ouze. Plus, Dover Street Market will once again host its seasonal jewellery showcase, in which it celebrates emerging jewellery designers. If you thought fashion week was all about the clothes, you thought wrong!