Your London Fashion Week Cheat Sheet

By Rebecca Gonsalves on 13/2/2019

So you've been invited to a swanky London Fashion Week event, but don't know your Molly Goddard from Margaret Howell, or your Roksanda from Richard Quinn.
Or maybe you plan to watch the action unfold from the comfort of your own home via the modern marvel that is #LFW on Instagram and Snapchat. But with close to 100 catwalk shows, presentations and parties on the official schedule alone there'll be enough content to sprain your scrolling thumb.
Don't worry, we've got you covered. Read on for our guide to the names to drop and shows to look out for in order to earn you ultimate fashion insider status.

Shrimps first show

The pretty, whimsical and feminine designs of Shrimps have earned designer Hannah Weiland near universal acclaim, a huge fashion following and some pretty cool collaborators since she launched her brand in 2013. Which explains why one of the hottest tickets in town this London Fashion Week is to her first ever catwalk show on Tuesday morning. And with fans like Alexa Chung, Susie Lau and Pandora Sykes, it's sure to be one of the best dressed front rows of the season.

Instagram

Natalie B Coleman makes a fashion statement

Fashion's feminist credentials can be a tad one-dimensional, but Irish designer Natalie B Coleman is putting her money where her mouth is with her autumn/winter 19 collection – a collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund which works to prevent maternal deaths and meet the critical need for family planning. Dubbed 'Sisters' the collection is influenced by 'the powerful bonds that exist between women and girls in our contemporary global society'. Expect delicate floral embroidery and handmade lace details at her presentation on Sunday.

Instagram

Student style

London's art colleges are world-renowned as incubators of great creativity and talent. So join the big fashion houses and keep a carefully trained eye on the graduate shows that are taking place during London Fashion Week and you might just spot a creative director in the making. With shows from London College of Fashion (Thursday evening), University of Westminster (Friday afternoon) and Central Saint Martins (Friday evening) be sure to take note.

Instagram

The Royal seal of approval

Even the most hardened fashion hacks were impressed when Queen Elizabeth made a surprise appearance on the Front Row of Richard Quinn's show last February, in order to present him with the inaugural QEII Award for British Design. This season she's passed the baton on to the Duchess of Cornwall, who'll present this year's award to Bethany Williams on Tuesday.

Instagram

Wales Bonner joins the womenswear schedule

Fresh from the success of her 'A Time for New Dreams' show at the Serpentine Galleries, Grace Wales Bonner has moved from the London Men's Fashion Week to the womenswear schedule, officially cementing her place in the London fashion firmament. It might seem like a small change, but it's a sign the menswear-focused designer has her sights on womenswear proper, which is sure to please the many disciples of her clean cuts and elegant embellishments.

Instagram