London: The New Fashion Capital?!

[agee]

IMO NY Fashion Week gets the most hype as a fashion week, whereas individual shows that happen to be staged in Paris get hype. If Calvin Klein or Diane von Furstenberg left NY, they will be missed but much of the energy would still be there, I could not say the same if Galliano and McQueen left Paris. Again, Paris will always be Paris, and they have a long-term lock because of the Chambre Syndicale De La Haute Couture, but I don't think that at every given moment it Paris the hottest ticket. In fact I haven't made up my mind whether it's Paris or New York that London would be dethroning as the fashion epic center.

 

[SHSH]

For me London has always been the real fashion capital of the world. I think London is so much more dynamic and innovative and thats the force behind creativity and fashion itself! I think New York usually has to play catch up to Europe most of the time and as much as I love Paris, time and fashion move on, how sustainable is haute couture really? Paris fashion gives you what you expect a romantic vision most of the time compared to the edginess of London it does beat all, all these great designers often start out in London!

 

[Master Wood]

Tillman vows to bring the buzz back to LFW
6 June 2009 | By Eve Oxberry

The return of two high-profile designer labels to the UK’s fashion capital in September was applauded by the industry this week.

For more than a decade London Fashion Week (LFW) has suffered the departures of the most commercial and exciting brands (think Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney) who leave London in search of international fame and orders overseas as soon as they reach a certain size. Sadly for London, they take some buyers and press with them, which has dented attendance at LFW.

Speaking exclusively to Drapers this week, Harold Tillman, chairman of the British Fashion Council, which organises LFW, was adamant he could recreate the LFW buzz which was last seen in the mid-1990s.

He said: “There are talks going on with other big names who we’re confident will come back. I want us to be the number-one destination for international press and buyers.”
LFW, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, will move to a new home in London’s Somerset House and Tillman promises several other new initiatives.

It is Tillman himself who has largely been credited with bringing back big names. Personal meetings with Burberry chief executive Angela Ahrendts are believed to have persuaded her to return. Independent designer fashion consultant David Jones said: “In Harold Tillman, London has a passionate individual whose charisma will persuade people back.”

A spokeswoman for Matthew Williamson, who has hinted he may stay at LFW beyond September, agreed: “I think that the way the British Fashion Council is reworking LFW will see lots of people coming back.”

She added: “London has been pigeonholed as being about new, young designers and people don’t attend because they wait to see how these designers will develop. The return of some established brands will change that perception.”

Tillman said: “We’re hoping and assuming these arrangements are ongoing. It’s hard for designers to duck in and out of different countries. I think if they’ve made the commitment to come to London this year it’s because they see the benefits of exhibiting here now.”

Pamela Shiffer, owner of the womenswear indie of the same name in London, agreed: “Bringing London fashion back to its roots can only help speed an end to recession.”
International attendance should also be boosted. Bridget Cosgrove, fashion and buying director of London mini-chain Matches, said: “When you have these sorts of
heavyweights on the schedule the likes of Anna Wintour [editor of US Vogue] will have to show up.”

Marigay McKee, fashion and beauty director at Harrods, added: “The return of established names will strengthen the international profile of the event.”

Provisional dates for LFW are September 18-22. See www.londonfashionweek.co.uk.

(Drapers Online)

 

[Master Wood]

I think its also worht noting brands such as Mulberry, Smythson, and Jimmy Choo which are british, global, and extremely influential. Manolo Blahnik although Spanish Identifies himself and his business as British, and Milliners Stephen Jones, and Philip Treacy arguably the best hat makers in the world and both british based. If these brands and personalities had a presence during fashion week, I think this would help boost the profile of the event massively.

 

[ultramarine]

We all know that for a while most of the emerging talent is coming from Britain ... thats one of the FW most exciting to see NEW stuff ... Paris is the epicenter of fashion ... but LFW has all the exciting new talent ... go LFW!!

 

[Master Wood]

The British Fashion Council has just announced that Jeremy Scott will be moving his show from Paris to London this September.

 

[ms-nietzsche]

It would be interesting to see how many of these people moving back to London are doing so to cut costs given the current global economy...

 

[luckynines]

London Fashion Week Hires Kelly Cutrone to Bring Editors, Buyers, and Bravo TV Cameras

Mon, 07/13/09 — 04:28:45 PM

>> After almost being edged out by New York and Milan Fashion Weeks last season, the British Fashion Council has launched a major push to bring London Fashion Week back on solid ground. Already, in conjunction with the event's 25th anniversary, Burberry, Matthew Williamson, Pringle of Scotland, Jonathan Saunders, Clements Ribeiro, and Jasmine de Milo — with Amanda Wakeley and Jeremy Scott, who's never shown in London, as the latest converts — have pledged to show in London for the Spring 2010 season in September.

Now, the British Fashion Council has announced it hired Kelly Cutrone's US-based PR company, People's Revolution, to promote London Fashion Week and British designers stateside. The goal is to drive buyer and editor traffic, according to BFC joint chief executive Caroline Rush: “The appointment of People’s Revolution aims to increase awareness and exposure of British designers amongst US media and buyers with the goal of supporting the growth of designer businesses and increasing the attendance of these audiences at London Fashion Week.”
And there's always the added advantage of TV visibility — cameras for Kelly's upcoming Bravo show, Kell on Earth, will be shooting all through London Fashion Week.

fashionologie

 

[Master Wood]

Agee - You mention something of a lock designers have with the chambre syndicale, could you or anyone else elaborate further on this. It is interesting because the ANDAM award which is closely tied with the chambre syndicale has conditions for designers who win like Gareth, Giles etc (Uhum our most exciting emerging London talents) like having to show in Paris for at least two seasons, this seems somewhat underhand in my opinion.