London Fashion Weekend 2014: dates and events for your diary

London Fashion Week things to do (clue: you don't have to be a fashionista to join in the fun...) By Katie McFadden

Renowned for its star-studded guest lists, impenetrable security and a general atmosphere of exclusivity, it’s easy for us non-fashion folk to feel decidedly distant from the global fashion highlight that is LFW. But if you’ve always been intrigued by the event, longed to rub shoulders with the fashion set, or simply wanted to know what all the fuss is about, here are the top ten ways to get involved in the fashion buzz descending on London over this week. 

1.  London Fashion Weekend, September 2014 (18th – 21st) 

A mini-version of LFW, London Fashion Weekend is a chance to gain insider knowledge and style advice with educational panels from fashion industry experts. Expect exclusive catwalk shows, discount designer shopping and trend spotting workshops. Tickets start at £20, click here to book. 

2. The Fashion Film Festival London, at St. Martin’s Courtyard (15th – 17th September)

This stylish outdoor Fashion Film Festival coincides with LFW, promising exclusive pop-ups and free gourmet popcorn. The event kicks off with cult fashion comedy Zoolander on the Sunday, Monday’s showing is insider favourite Grey Gardens, and The September Issue will close the festival on Tuesday 17th September, taking audiences behind the scenes of American Vogue. Films are free but booking is essential, a select number of tickets will be held on the door and given out on a strictly first come, first served basis. 

Alternately, check out the pop-up Everyman Cinema, Selfridges, which is also putting on a series of fashion classics to coincide with LFW.  

3. Fashion’s Night Out London 2014 (23rd September) 

This star-studded event is a staple in the calendars of the fashion set. Always packed with insightful talks from industry heavyweights, past speakers include supermodels such as Naomi Campbell, Vogue editors including Alexandra Schulman, and a range of high-end designers and entrepreneurs such as Natalie Massenet of Net-à-Porter.com. Fashion’s Night Out takes place across two of the UK’s largest shopping destinations – Oxford and Regent Street. 

4. Carnaby Style Night, with GQ (Thursday 11th September) 

Carnaby Street invites the public to celebrate the fashion industry with over 100 fashion brands in the area hosting a free party. Trend talks and masterclasses in fashion are accompanied by 20% discounts off all purchases during the day. Party-goers can look forward to live music, dance performances and even a secret garden party. In addition, style scouts will be on the lookout for the best dressed shoppers on the night. Starting at 5pm, the event runs until 9pm, attendees must register online to secure a free ticket. 

5. Barchick iPhone App

With a 5 star rating on the AppStore, this App is perfect for London fashionistas on the go. Free to download, with a location-based service that provides suggestions for the trendiest bars in London, you can rely on Barchick to direct you to the spots to be seen at during LFW. With a series of different options: ‘Get Buzzed Up’, ‘Get Dressed Up’, ‘Get Your Vit-Fix’ or ‘Go Large’ Barchick caters to a variety of needs. 

6. Shopping during Fashion Week

To escape the mania of Oxford Circus, and the more predictable shops, try out these hidden-gems and fashion-insider favourites. 

 - Alfies Antique Market is a LFW designer favourite for one-off gorgeous pieces. London’s largest indoor market for antiques, vintage fashion and 20th century design, it has a bohemian chic atmosphere and boasts features in magazines such as Vogue and Vanity Fair. 

 - SHOWstudio Shop in Mayfair is always a feast for the eyes with its exclusive collections of curated art and fashion pieces in-store. Look no further for rare and bespoke fashion artefacts, hand-picked from iconic shoots and shows or custom-made in house. Curated as a gallery-cum-shop, the space is regularly transformed to display beautiful objects from fashion industry leaders. 

 - Make your way to hipster art hub Nelly Duff near Old Street for trendy original artworks and limited edition prints. Nelly Duff was the first to spot Banksy, making this hidden gem a hot destination for future investments. Supporting traditional crafts and old techniques, this was one of the first places to exhibit Street Art internationally and their artworks are now coveted by museums and private collectors across the globe. 

7. Fashion Exhibitions, London

What better excuse to take advantage of the fantastic array of Fashion exhibitions opening this September than the fashionable topic of LFW? 

Favourites are: 

 - ‘Simon Costin’s Impossible Catwalk Shows’ at the Fashion Space Gallery in Oxford Circus, (12th September - 13th December)

Simon Costin, the set designer renowned for his work with Tim Walker and Alexander McQueen questions the boundaries of fashion in this hotly tipped exhibition. Admission is free. 

 - 'Knitwear: Chanel to Westwood ' at the London Fashion and Textile Museum, (19th September to 18th January 2015) 

Fashion knitwear from the 20th century will be on display from the timeless 1920’s Chanel jersey, to the eccentric designs of Vivienne Westwood and Julie MacDonald. Tickets cost £8.80.   

 - ‘Drawing on Style: Four Decades of Elegance’ (11th September to 16th September) 

This exhibition will explore fashion illustration from post-war 1940's to the 1970's, including designs for Dior and cult-brand BIBA's creator Barbara Hulanicki.

8. Restaurants for fashionista-spotting

In Covent Garden try Augustus Harri, Italian food, Barrafina for delicious Spanish cuisine or LIMA Floral for interesting South American flavours. Not far from the epicentre of LFW at Somerset House, these restaurants are known to attract the fashion set. 

9.  Dover Street Market

If you have never been, visit Dover Street Market. The market that combines art and fashion is currently celebrating its ten-year anniversary by hosting a series of non-stop events and installations throughout the month for their “The Next Ten Years” project. Go and see Nicolas Ghesquière’s window display for the new Louis Vuitton collection, and on Sept 15th upcoming designer Phoebe English will create an exciting window display to preview her SS15 collection. 

10.  Fashion books: Claire de Rouen Books

A hidden treasure-trove right next to Tottenham Court Station, the bookshop specialises in rare fashion and photography books. Claire de Rouen moved from Alexandria to London in her early twenties, and the shop is the product of 30 years spent around meandering around Charing Cross Road studying art, modelling and working at the Photographers Gallery. Her close relationship with photographers including David Bailey and Bruce Weber ensured the creation of this incomparable collection. 

While in the area, wander deeper into the streets of Soho to browse the shelves of Wardour News on Wardour Street and Good News on Berwick Street for the most extensive range of fashion publications. 

For the most up to date news on London Fashion Week, Culture Whisper recommends following these bloggers' twitter feeds: Style Bubble, Face Hunter, BIP LING, La Petit Anglaise, and Girl in Menswear .