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Looking forward: Fashion in 2018

By Eloise Barker on 12/12/2017

2018 is upon us, so it's time to look forward. Yes, first there's the January sales to navigate, but we've been looking further ahead: to the V&A's blockbuster showcase of Frida Kahlo's wardrobe; to the next big collaborations; to London Fashion Week; and 2018's next big looks.
Best of all, with a new regime at Vogue and a V&A exhibition exploring fashion's impact on the environment, the industry is starting to wake up to its problems. Will 2018 be the year that we get a sustainable, inclusive fashion industry? As they say, only time will tell.

You should buy these brands

Here are the brands that will be making our wishlist for 2018. First up: Halpern. With a fashion award and a penchant for sequins, the British label will be making waves next year. Next, Ganni has seen astronomical sales increases in 2017 and is fast becoming a must-have label. Then, if you haven't already, check out Kitri (pictured), another mid-range London label, and then make like everyone else and get yourself the latest Loewe bag.

You can go stargazing at London Fashion Week

Much more than just a trade show, London Fashion Week sets Instagram on fire. Last September, Topshop, Burberry and Tommy Hilfiger were the top trending catwalk events online, and Ashish's sparkling show caused a big stir. To see some fashion in the flesh, go to London Fashion Week Festival the weekend after the trade show. It offers a taste of the fashion world, plus catwalks and shopping for those who's FROW ticket for Erdem got lost in the post.

WHEN

16 – 20 February

WHERE

The Store, 180 The Strand
The Store, 180 The Strand, London, WC2R 1EA

JW Anderson X Uniqlo returns for spring

This will put a spring in your step. If you missed out on the best pieces from Uniqlo's autumn collaboration with JW Anderson in 2017, then get ready for a new collection for SS18. Anderson's second set of menswear and womenswear for the brand might be expected to have less puffer jackets, but we hope to see a return of its sell-out trench for all the summer showers.

WHEN

On 01 Mar 2018, Date TBC for the collection

WHERE

Oxford Street
Oxford Street, London, W1G 3AG

The Fashion and Textile Museum celebrates Orla Kiely

The instantly recognisable designs of Orla Kiely come to the Fashion and Textile Museum in May. The Irish designer has been delighting the public with her prints and colour palettes since 1997. Her gorgeous clothing collections, currently in collaboration with stylist Leith Clarke, even have Kate Middleton's seal of approval. The museum will celebrate her contributions to fashion. Let's hope there's a great gift shop.

WHEN

25 May 2018 – 23 Sep 2018, Closed Mondays, Late opening Thursday (8pm)

WHERE

Fashion and Textile Museum
83 Bermondsey St, London, SE1 3XF

You'll be given in lesson in glamour at the Design Museum

In May, head to see Azzedine Alaïa: The Couturier at the Design Museum. The legendary Tunisian fashion designer passed away in November 2017 to the fashion world's great dismay. Vogue's new editor, Edward Enninful, even called him a 'visionary'. Prepare to be wowed by his craftmanship at the exhibition: his runway looks and red carpet dresses have a reputation for stealing the show.

WHEN

10 May 2018 – 07 Oct 2018, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

WHERE

Design Museum
224-238 Kensington High Street, Kensington, London, W8 6AG

You'll be able to explore Frida Kahlo's wardrobe

It's better than Narnia. Frida Kahlo's Wardrobe at the V&A will be a rare and beautiful treat. Locked in a bathroom in her house for fifty years, the Mexican artist's prosthetics, corsets, shoes and personal effects are finally going on show outside Mexico City, alongside the self portraits in which some of them appear. Her cult-like fan base will be ecstatic. We hope this exhibition will be as effective as Matisse in the Studio was in its ability to bring us closer to an art idol.

WHEN

16 Jun 2018 – 04 Nov 2018, Times TBC

WHERE

V&A
South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL

You'll be able to buy tracksuits just in time for the World Cup

Sporty chic isn't going away in 2018. Victoria Beckham has announced a long-term collaboration with Reebok, while both Rihanna's Fenty X Puma collaboration and Gucci showed shiny, shiny tracksuits on the September catwalks. Athleisure is evolving with the years. Swap your sporty leggings for track pants and show your support for sport in 2018. Even if you aren't going anywhere near Russia for the football World Cup.

Bailey's Burberry reign comes to an end

Who will replace Christopher Bailey at the head of Burberry in 2018? The great director is stepping down in July which means just one more fashion week to look forward to in his hands. Burberry has put on wonderful free events at London Fashion Week, from Maker's House to the spectacular Here We Are photography exhibition. What amazing things can we expect in February?

Shop til you drop at Coal Drops Yard

Fashion is moving north. King's Cross is the site of a brand new shopping centre, Coal Drops Yard, opening in autumn 2018. Built in an old Victorian coal depository, there will be 65 new shops, plus cafes, bars and restaurants. But don't come primed for Primark: small boutiques, personal shopping and high quality brands will be the order of the day. With Central Saint Martins fashion school just next door and Fashion Week catwalks already using the space, it's set to be 2018's most fashionable destination.

WHEN

On 01 Oct 2018, Exact opening dates TBC

WHERE

Coal Drops Yard
Stable Street, London, N1C 4AB

Looking forward: Fashion in 2018

You should buy these brands

You can go stargazing at London Fashion Week

JW Anderson X Uniqlo returns for spring

The Fashion and Textile Museum celebrates Orla Kiely

You'll be given in lesson in glamour at the Design Museum

You'll be able to explore Frida Kahlo's wardrobe

You'll be able to buy tracksuits just in time for the World Cup

Bailey's Burberry reign comes to an end

Shop til you drop at Coal Drops Yard

Fashion

Collaboration

Fashion Trends

Burberry

JW Anderson

Shopping

New Stores

V&A

Fashion and Textile Museum

Orla Kiely

2018

Andreas Gursky, Hayward Gallery, London, review ★★★★★

Review: All Too Human: Bacon, Freud and a Century of Painting Life, Tate Britain, ★★★★★

Coal Drops Yard, King's Cross

London Fashion Exhibitions: on now

JW Anderson X Uniqlo collaboration

London Fashion Week 2019