London Fashion Week AW18: Everything you need to know

Fashion month is in full swing and as you read this, the fash pack are pulling together their most Instagrammable clobber and rejigging their action-packed schedules for the weekend ahead.

Yes, London Fashion Week kickstarts tomorrow and the capital is busy prepping for the AW18 sartorial offerings in store.

With Christopher Bailey set to showcase his final collection for Burberry and the Duchess of Cambridge expected to make a debut appearance, it’s sure to be the highlight of the fashion calendar.

From the city’s most established brands to this season’s up-and-coming names, consider this your go-to cheat sheet for London Fashion Week AW18.

When is London Fashion Week February 2018?

First things first, London Fashion Week isn’t actually a week-long celebration. The five-day event kickstarts on Friday 16th February with up-and-coming designer, Richard Malone.

And the schedule will draw to a close on Tuesday 20th February with the likes of Shrimps, Teatum Jones and Eudon Choi in charge of wrapping up the weekend.

But of course, there will be parties and shopping events galore to keep guests occupied in-between shows (because there’s only so many bags of popcorn you can eat).

Where will London Fashion Week take place?

Turning its back on Brewer Street Car Park, the fash pack have flocked to The Strand in recent seasons for the sartorial action. And this year, designers will also be debuting their AW18 collections at the Ambika show space situated in the University of Westminster.

But with many presentations taking place across the city, you’re bound to bump into a street style photographer or two on your travels.

Do I need a ticket to get in on the action?

Fashion month is notorious for its exclusivity with A-list names snapped up for the FROW. But there are plenty of ways for the public to join in on the action too.

London Fashion Week Festival

For instance, London Fashion Week Festival will be flinging open its doors for yet another season.

Taking place in Fashion Week’s hub (180 The Strand), the likes of blogger Lucy Williams, designer Markus Lupfer and fashion muse, Daphne Guinness, will be giving exclusive talks over the weekend.

Covering everything from advice on breaking into the fashion industry to trend reports, it’s a must for those hoping to catch a glimpse of the action.

And the festival is not short on the runway front either, as guests will have the chance to sit FROW with names including Zandra Rhodes, Nicopanda and Juicy Couture lined up to showcase their latest looks.

The weekend will also offer attendees the chance to shop some of the capital’s most beloved labels from Rixo London to House of Sunny. And this year, blogger Lucy Williams has also curated a gallery of her favourite pieces to shop so make sure to bring a handful of credit cards…

For those interested in bagging tickets, you can choose everything from a festival entry-level pass (which includes industry insider talks) to the luxe package (we’re talking champers, private till points and front row seats with your name on).

Mulberry’s ‘Beyond Heritage’ event

Throughout London Fashion Week, handbag heavyweight, Mulberry, will be hosting a series of exclusive talks and workshops at Spencer House.

The public will be invited to hear from the likes of journalist Alexander Fury and the creative director of Mulberry. Visitors can also take guided tours around the eighteenth-century stately home and will have the chance to shop at an exclusive pop-up retail space.

To secure tickets, head over to the label’s website.

The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange

For the first time in its history, 31 designers and 26 artisans from the Commonwealth have united to design eco-friendly fashion.

The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange, was set up to encourage leading names in the industry to collaborate on sustainable projects which will be showcased during London Fashion Week at Buckingham Palace.

And the exhibition has definitely earned its royal stamp of approval, as the Duchess of Cambridge and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, will attend the preview.

And for those wishing to check out the sustainable line produced by the likes of Stella McCartney and Burberry, note that the exhibition will open at Australia House to the public on February 21st.

The labels shaking up the schedule

Burberry

This season sadly marks Christopher Bailey’s final show for Burberry and in celebration, the designer has announced that the label’s AW18 collection will celebrate LGBTQ youth.

The runway show will take coincide with LGBT History Month and the creative director hinted at the theme of rainbow heritage check via Instagram.

“My final collection here at Burberry is dedicated to – and in support of – some of the best and brightest organisations supporting LGBTQ+ youth around the world,” Bailey announced. “There has never been a more important time to say that in our diversity lies our strength, and our creativity.”

And his final collection will help raise funds for charities such as the Albert Kennedy Trust and the Trevor Project.

JW Anderson

Jonathon Anderson was notably absent from the London Fashion Week Men’s line-up, as the designer announced that he would instead launch a co-ed show this season.

Following in the footsteps of Gucci and Burberry, the designer is bidding farewell to gender binaries and instead, welcoming a collection that can be donned by all.

Mulberry

Mulberry is making a comeback this season after creative designer Johnny Coca gave a presentation during Paris Fashion Week last year.

And to mark its return, the fashion giant is the latest label to launch its see-now-buy-now model. Is that the sound of a credit card swipe we hear?

The ones to watch

Michael Halpern

Michael Halpern took home the award for Emerging Womenswear Designer at the Fashion Awards last September and is now gearing up to demonstrate what he can really do. The designer will debut his AW18 collection on Saturday 17th February at 3pm.

Matty Bovan

On Friday night, emerging designer Matty Bovan will showcase his first stand-alone show. And the Fashion East graduate has turned out to be one of the most anticipated shows of the season. Watch this space.

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Read more from Yahoo Style UK:

This week’s best dressed celebrities: 12th February 2018

Celebrities at Fashion Week AW18: Front row and parties

Fashion Week AW18: Every moment worth knowing about