2009 has been an exciting year for British Fashion. Not only did our Design Colleges come up with some spectacular and innovative talent, but the 25th Anniversary of London Fashion Week in September (at it’s chic new venue at Somerset House) was extremely successful, with the return of Burberry Prorsum, Matthew Williamson, Johnathan Saunders and Pringle to the fold.
Celebrities were out in force, and sat alongside fashion royalty, and international buyers who were all lured back by the return of the big names.
This has been a relief for many, as attendance to London Fashion Week has dwindled in recent years, with the departure of McQueen and McCartney to Paris back in the late 1990’s, resulting in London losing it’s pull to international buyers, with many thinking our Capital favoured creativity over commerciality.
Happily, the design colleges didn’t bow to any pressure this might have placed upon them, and students were still actively encouraged to embrace their creative spirit, and follow their hearts, allowing Great Britain to retain it’s esteemed reputation for style, innovation and quirky creativity, which is admired, and revered, the World over.
When Sir Stuart Rose (Executive Chairman of Marks & Spencer) became Chairman of the BFC in 2004, he instigated the sponsorship of our new design talent through the high street chains, and the following year Topshop appeared on the Catwalk at London Fashion Week. He did much to restore confidence in London, so that when Harold Tillman (Chairman of Jaeger, and more recently, Aquascutum), took over in 2008, he was able to expedite the return of the big names. This resulted in the enormously successful Anniversary of the 25th London Fashion Week.
Moreover, for anyone questioning the obvious success of this great achievement, Harold Tillman was overheard as saying; “We had great feedback from International and UK Attendees. There are always things we can improve upon, but that is what drives us forward.” …….Spoken like a True Brit!
Join us next year, for all the news straight from the Catwalks as we cover fashion shows from across the globe, starting with Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Janauary. We will bring you all the latest news and photographs, paying special attention to all the rising stars!
Written by Amanda Waters.
Photographs – Fashion Show Images.