The top fashion trends from London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2026

Burberry show during London Fashion Week, February 2026

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London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2026 showcased a season shaped by confidence, structure and glamour. Blending established designers with returning names and emerging talent, it underscored the capital’s influence on the global fashion landscape, balancing heritage with innovation.

This shift reflects a new chapter for the British Fashion Council. Since the appointment of Laura Weir as CEO of the BFC last April, the event has been noticeably revitalized, both in its creative output and its cultural relevance. Investment in international press and buyers has doubled, and participation fees for designers showcasing physically have been removed. As a result, this February’s schedule was much fuller than previous fashion weeks. There was also an unexpected appearance made by King Charles at the Tolu Coker show, opening the event.

Beyond the city’s creative relevance, business remains strong. According to the British Fashion Council, the UK fashion industry contributes nearly £21 billion in direct value to the economy, with an additional indirect £16 billion generated through indirect and spillover effects across sectors, including technology, logistics and tourism.

This renewed momentum was reflected by the return of influential names, dubbed as the return of the icons: Julien Macdonald, who presented his first collection since 2023, alongside brands John Richmond and Joseph—both absent from the London runway since 2017. Temperley London also returned to the schedule to celebrate its 25th anniversary, while Italian brand Fiorucci presented at Somerset House for the first time under its new ownership, which began in 2023.

Reflecting the city’s character, London Fashion Week, for Autumn/Winter 2026, was defined by a strong sense of creative optimism. Speaking at his London studio, Julien Macdonald told me why returning to the city felt essential: “It’s alive,” he said. “There are people around, people are happy. It’s cosmopolitan, it’s got fashion trends.” Most importantly for Macdonald, London remains “the best city in the world.”

Throughout the week, several key trends emerged, including strong shoulders, architectural structures, intricate beading and a refined, tonal color palette highlighted by garments in off-white.

Structure, From Clothing To Accessories

Architectural structure was a defining theme for A/W 2026 that added a modern dimension to presentations. At Patrick McDowell’s show, feminine tailoring echoed 1950s silhouettes, while Burberry, Alice Temperley and Joseph showcased belted shapes that emphasized the waist and refined proportions.

In an elegant collection, Burberry returned to city clothing, and “to going out in a particularly London way”, as described in the press release by chief creative officer Daniel Lee. Embellished trenches were worn like accessories over sleek satin dresses.

Richard Quinn’s collection, styled by Carine Roitfeld, was another example where classic garments acquired a contemporary feel through the delicate use of structures, including hourglass silhouettes. As described in the show notes, “drawing couture lines through a modern space, the collection reimagines classic beauty for the present”.

Talking to fashion commentator Bernard Garby over Zoom, we discussed how Richard Quinn’s recent London Fashion Week show was very similar to his Spring/Summer collection last September, which highlighted sustainability. “True sustainability should be about mixing the old with the new,” he said. Adding that if brands want consumers to practice circular fashion, they need to lead by example and show clients how to style past seasons and make them relevant.

This theme also extended into accessories. Milliner Stephen Jones (who created the hats for both Dior’s recent Autumn/Winter 2026 ready-to-wear and couture shows in Paris) presented a collection called Think Pink But Pack Black. It included fuchsia hatbox-shaped berets, blush crystal-encrusted convertible masks, as well as tiaras and half-and-half leather and wool shadow caps. He told me at his showroom that all of us have to run around, but that we also love the idea of celebration, and that was the idea behind the collection.

Additionally, New York-based Jewelry designer Samantha Siu introduced a collection of beautiful, bold geometric necklaces that functioned as statement pieces in their own right.

Beading And Bare Skin Bring Glamour Back

After seasons dominated by minimalism and nostalgia, glamour returned as a strong trend. Beading, embellishment and intricate handwork featured prominently, led by Julien Macdonald in a spectacular show staged at The Shard. The collection included party and eveningwear, resort and luxury poolside pieces, with bare skin becoming central to the overall look.

Celebrity tanning artist Jimmy Coco collaborated with Charlotte Tilbury’s team to create luminous, healthy-looking skin, underscoring the growing overlap between fashion, beauty and wellness. The shoes, provided by Kandee, added to the glamorous collection.

Beyond just glamorizing bare skin, Karoline Vitto’s latest collection proved exactly why she is one of fashion’s most exciting names to watch. Her design process centres on the female body, using masterful draping. Talking to Bernard Garby he described the collection as highly commercially viable. The fabrics are comfortable and breathable, and they feature modular versatility, with the removal of a single detail transitioning a look from the boardroom to the beach. “It’s no surprise a global powerhouse like Pull&Bear has partnered with her this year,” he said.

Elsewhere, Belsize 25, John Richmond and Erdem also leaned into embellishment, strengthening the narrative that high glamour is firmly back on the London runway.

Off-White And Tonal Dressing

Color was used with confidence across collections, but many designers favored a restrained, tonal palette inspired by nature. Backstage at Paul Costelloe, a collection featuring natural tones, head makeup artist Yin Lee explained to me that the makeup used in the show mirrored this mood. Using Laura Mercier and Bare Minerals, the look was deliberately matte, with tonal eyes in shades of chocolate brown, taupe, black and deep espresso.

Off-white emerged as a standout shade, versatile and quietly luxurious. Electric blue, a color that was popular in the 1990s, was another shade that was seen across multiple shows.

Strong Shoulders Signal a Return to Power Dressing

One of the most visible fashion trends of the season was the revival of strong shoulders and power silhouettes inspired by the 1980s and 1990s. At Paul Costelloe, exaggerated proportions defined a collection built around tailoring, knitwear and oversized accessories. This was William Costelloe’s debut as creative director, following his father’s passing last November, making it a significant and emotional show.

Drawing on fabrics his father had selected before his death, William delivered a polished, contemporary collection with strong, noughties-inspired silhouettes­. “I was very lucky that my father had bought all the fabrics before he tragically passed away”, William told me backstage at the Waldorf Hilton hotel, adding that this collection was about interpreting those fabrics through his own vision. “It’s the beginning, and I’m looking forward to the future,” he said.

This season, A/W 2026, London Fashion Week reaffirmed the city’s role as a center of innovation and creativity, drawing from its heritage and cultural influences. With glamour and structure resurging, and a renewed confidence in craftsmanship, London has once again set the tone for the season ahead.