This year is turning out to be quite the year for us Londoners. First we had the Queen’s Jubilee, which saw the city unite in a gloriously wet street party, followed by what can only be described as the greatest Olympics the world has ever seen. So, ‘What’s next?’ we hear you cry, and the answer: London Fashion Week.

Olympic closing ceremony catwalk. Image: www.modsmods.com

London Fashion Week (or LFW as the frenetic fashionistas scrawl it) is one of the ‘big four’ high profile events in the fashion world, along with those in New York, Paris and Milan. Organised by the British Fashion Council and funded by numerous sponsors, LFW helps keep British fashion firmly on the glossy front pages. LFW is a bi-annual event where designers get the chance to show off their new collections for the following season. September’s Fashion Week will showcase the next spring/summer 2013 collections, allowing enough time for retailers to incorporate the designers and designs into their retail marketing. Vogue and other leading fashion magazines play a big part in LFW, showcasing the latest collections upcoming trends in their October issues.

Kate Moss makes an appearance for Stella McCartney’s graduate show in 1995. Image: Vogue

It hasn’t always been as glamorous as it is today, in fact, it began in a West London car park back in 1984. It has seen a host of top designers making their debuts, including Betty Jackson, Ghost, John Galliano and David Fielden. Many people may remember Naomi Cambell walking down the catwalk topless in 1993, or Stella McCartney (then a student) selling out her entire collection in 1995. The main purpose of LFW is as a trade event – it attracts over 5,000 press and buyers with visitors flocking to the city from over 25 different countries.

London Fashion Week descends on Somerset House

LFW will be descending on the palatial Somerset House at Aldwych, on September 14th, to showcase the spring/summer 2013 collection, so prepare yourselves for a whirlwind of catwalks, shows, and exhibitions. To get a front row view of all the glamour, take a look at onefinestay’s London Fashion Week homes.