Think London Fashion Week is only for editors, celebrities and people carrying funky handbags? Think again. While many of the headline catwalk shows remain strictly invite-only, London Fashion Week spills out onto the streets with pop-ups, exhibitions, events, talks and fashion experiences that anyone can get involved in.
This September, London Fashion Week takes place from 17–21 September, bringing designers, creatives and fashion lovers into the capital for five days of fashion - and you don't need a front-row invitation to experience it. From discovering emerging designers and browsing fashion exhibitions to visiting public pop-ups and simply heading to the areas where the fashion crowd gathers, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
So, if you love clothes but don't actually have an invite sitting in your inbox, here's our guide to the best things to do during London Fashion Week that are actually open to the public.
© Getty ImagesVisit the BFC Jewellery Showcase at Dover Street Market
If you want a taste of London Fashion Week without an industry invite, head to Dover Street Market for the BFC Jewellery Showcase. The showcase brings together emerging British jewellery designers and is listed as open to the public, making it an easy way to discover new names and see some of the more experimental work coming out of London's fashion scene. Even if you're not in the market for a new piece, it's a great excuse to explore Dover Street Market and soak up some Fashion Week atmosphere. Check the official LFW schedule before you go for the latest opening times.
See Saul Nash's Masquerade in Residence
For something that feels much closer to the real Fashion Week experience, check out Saul Nash's AW26 Masquerade in Residence. The presentation is open to the public, giving visitors the chance to experience the designer's latest collection outside of the traditional invite-only catwalk format. Saul Nash is known for combining fashion, movement and dance, so this is one for anyone who wants their Fashion Week experience to be a little more immersive than simply browsing clothes on a rail.
© Niall HodsonExplore Fashion Britain
This September, the British Fashion Council has launched its Fashion Britain initiative, which brings fashion into the wider city through a programme of public events, exhibitions, talks and retail experiences, meaning you can get involved even if you don't have a front-row invitation. From designer collaborations to cultural events, the programme is a good way to discover the people and ideas shaping British fashion.
Tartan Reimagined: The Barbour Way
Tartan Reimagined: The Barbour Way invites visitors to The Saatchi Gallery to enter the world of one of Britain's most enduring brands - and it's free! This immersive exhibition created exclusively for London Fashion Week explores how tradition finds longevity and the enduring appeal of a cracking piece of tartan.
© WWD via Getty ImagesGo Street Style Spotting
London Fashion Week brings with it some of the coolest and best dressers on the planet - all congregating in the Big Smoke, dressed in probably the best outfit inspiration you can get this side of Christmas. Get close to the heart of the action at the popular spots for shows (aka 180 The Strand), grab a coffee and people watch to your heart's content.
