BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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London Fashion Week is officially entering a new chapter. With recently appointed British Fashion Council CEO Laura Weir at the helm, the Spring/Summer 2026 edition set to run from September 18 to 22 promises to be one of the most transformative in years.
Weir, who took over the role just three months ago, is already making her mark. The upcoming season will see an 18% increase in both physical and digital shows compared to last year, reflecting growing interest and a renewed energy across the industry.
But beyond the schedule boost, Weir’s approach is deeply designer-focused. The BFC is scrapping participation fees for designers who are members of the council, making it easier for smaller and emerging brands to present collections without the usual financial burden. This is a major shift aimed at restoring London’s reputation as a launchpad for new fashion voices.
The international guest programme budget has also doubled, a move expected to attract more global buyers, press, and cultural figures to the event. The BFC is betting big on boosting international visibility and bringing global eyes back to London.
Additional changes include extending the NewGen talent programme until 2029 and increasing funding for fashion scholarships. There’s also a clear push to take fashion beyond London. Through the “City Wide Celebration,” fashion events and creative projects will be spread across cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and Newcastle, giving regional voices a platform too.
Big names like Burberry, Simone Rocha, and Erdem will return to the calendar, but there’s also room for rising stars like Conner Ives and Talia Byre, who are being positioned as part of the next wave of British fashion talent.
With these reforms in place, London Fashion Week SS26 feels less like a regular season and more like a reset. And under Weir’s leadership, British fashion seems ready to lead with purpose again.
