PHOTO CREDIT: HARPER'S BIZARRE UK | NIKLAS HALLE'N | GETTY IMAGES
We know London Fashion Week drew to a close last week, but the shows have been a hot topic ever since. From designer debuts to mammoth productions, London was back, and ready to deliver the quirkiness we know and love. With so many epic moments to choose from this season, we've selected our Top 3 unforgettable shows from LFW AW23.
Before diving straight in, we must acknowledge the loss of a fashion icon - Dame Vivienne Westwood. Known as “The Queen of Punk”, Westwood made an indelible mark on British fashion and culture - redefining an era and a shade of Britishness. A host of celebrities gathered at Southwark Cathedral on February 16th - adorned in emblematic tartan and Saturn orbs - to bid their final farewells to the iconic pioneer. Westwood’s legacy of harnessing the past whilst forging the future remained omnipresent during London Fashion Week - particularly at the Burberry show...
#01: BURBERRY
'The' moment of LFW had to be Daniel Lee’s inauguration at Burberry. The highly anticipated debut marked a clear shift for the brand; as Lee breathed new life into Burberry’s aesthetic. The cornerstone of the collection was the brand's outdoorsy heritage, mixed with Burberry's archival fabrics. The signature Nova check was reimagined in rich shades of red, yellow and purple - reminiscent of royalty, or dare we say, our beloved Cadbury's chocolate? Whilst the new Burberry blue was unveiled via graphic prints and oversized checks. This striking cobalt hue is a nod to Lee’s time at Bottega Veneta and an iteration of that infamous parakeet green; mark our words, it’s the shade of the year.
At Luxe Collective HQ, we appreciated the moody, industrial feel of the collection, but the accessories really sparked our interest. Bulky, oversized designs provided an interesting change from the clean aesthetics we’ve become accustomed to at Burberry; the footwear was equally compelling too. Lee exhibited a hybrid-glam version of the Clarks’ Wallabee - think shearling-lined, oversized tongues in rich jewel tones. Garish? Probably. Do we love them? Absolutely.
“I liked Daniel Lee’s take on British culture; the dark setting to mimic our moody weather, models sitting on blankets and carrying hot water bottles - it’s typically British. Overall, I did find the collection slightly underwhelming - sorry, I'm a harsh critic! - but I am excited to see Lee grow into the role. Oh, Burberry blue is the new Bottega Green. Period" - Ella Hewit, Luxe Collective Content Creator
#02: JW ANDERSON
We never know what to expect from JW Anderson, which makes the show a must-see each season. Michael Clark, the Scottish dancer and Choreographer, was the point of reference for AW23, alongside the JW Anderson archives. JW Anderson’s experiential approach to design could be seen throughout the collection, as models hit the runway - bagpipes blaring - in reimagined archival pieces. Graphic t-shirts with phallic symbols and yellow smiley face overalls humorously punctuated the collection, providing a reference point to Michael Clark's iconic 1980s costumes.
In the office, we loved the nod to the sought-after bumper bag, seen in muted black dresses with tubular cuffs and collar details. However, it was the Tesco bag ensemble had us talking, and thinking about all you can achieve with a simple bag for life.
#03: MONCLER
Now, Moncler - where do we even begin? The Milanese-based fashion house took over the Olympia Stadium to produce an event of epic proportions. "The Art of Genius" was an expansion of the Moncler Genius project, which introduced new co-creators from the realms of art, music, design and sport, to reimagine the spirit of Moncler. We're talking about Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, Roc Nation, Adidas Originals and even Mercedes Benz, all showcasing creative concepts and collaborations with the brand.
Pharrell Williams’ produced "The Art of Terrain", which saw models in monochromatic khaki walking across a set made of grass. Palm Angels’ “The Art of Lightness” drew inspiration from snowy terrains - very apt considering Moncler’s iconic puffer jackets. As great as these collections were, the collaboration with Mercedes Benz left us shook.
PROJECT MONDO G is a bizarre blend of the Mercedes G-Wagon, encapsulated in a signature Moncler puffer jacket - yes, you heard that right - a car in a jacket. The futuristic concept was appropriately presented in a chic moon landing-esque set, that saw models dressed in iconic Moncler jackets floating above and around the vehicle. The collaboration was truly wild and got us thinking; if this is what outer space living looks like, count us in.
Inspired by LFW AW23? Discover our collections of pre-loved Burberry, JW Anderson and Moncler; or uncover amazing British brands from Alexander McQueen to Stella McCartney and Sophia Webster.
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