A show at the Emirates Stadium, a Charli XCX performance, and our favourite shoes: here are Wonderland’s top picks this fashion week.
Another fashion week down, two to go! London Fashion Week has officially wrapped, but there are some shows we just can’t get out of our heads. No city reminds us that fashion exists within the context of creative industries more than London does, and between yuhan wang’s boxinginspired accessories, LABRUM’s catwalk at Emirates Stadium, and Charli XCX’s H&M concert, we have some superlatives to give out. Keep reading for our picks on best location, beauty, party, and more…
Best Use of Materials: JW Anderson
Every season, there are tons of metaphorical awards we could give to Jonathan Anderson and his namesake brand — but this time, the power was in restriction. Known for his surrealist and out-there ideas, the designer proved once and for all that creativity truly does thrive in scarcity. Without sacrificing his typical playful motifs and visual intrigue, he limited himself to four materials only: silk satin fabric, cashmere, calf leather, and sequin embroidery. For embellishments, he could only use lace. Given such self-imposed restrictions, he crafted a collection that felt void of excess and full of creative inspiration.
Best Beauty: Masha Popova
The hot pink nails! If you told me you created an entire Pinterest board dedicated to the shade, we wouldn’t blame you. Also seen in hues of red, yellow, and blue, the jelly glass-like 3D textured press-ons by Liia Zotova (@the.fingersofgod) complemented the slightly messy, cool-girl bedhead hair looks, glowing and sometimes sparkling skin, and bushy, gelled brows. We’ll be taking these images to the nail salon immediately.
Best Accessories: yuhan wang
It might be unfair, but on the first day of fashion week, I instantly knew that yuhan wang would remain the bar in which I subconsciously compare all future collections to. An ode to women who broke gender boundaries in the male-dominated sport, the looks twisted between symbols of strength and delicacy — from leather boxing shorts to lace trains and ballerina skirts — in a view of contemporary womanhood that, though we’ve seen before, felt entirely fresh. The 19th centuryesque shoes with athletic-tinged colour-blocking, in particular, have been the protagonist of my daydreams, and the silk boxing gloves have drawn me closer to signing up for classes than ever before.
Coolest Location: LABRUM at Emirates Stadium
data-instgrm-version=”14″ style=” background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% – 2px); width:calc(100% – 2px);”>
Before artist (and Arsenal fan) Ghetts even opened the LABRUM London show at Emirates Stadium, it was clear that the event would be one to make its mark on the SS25 calendar. As guests made their way pitchside, fashion and football communities blended into one, celebrating the latest collaboration between LABRUM, Arsenal, and adidas — three beloved names that bridge the two worlds. As models walked the field at a slightly lower pace than the turf is used to, familiar faces such as midfielder and adidas athlete Declan Rice surprised the crowd.
Best Industry-Crossover: Charli XCX Brat x H&M
It might be September, but Brat summer isn’t over yet! Kicking off LFW with a fusion of music and fashion, Charli XCX hosted the ultimate, most coveted concert of the season. 3,000 guests flocked to the Copperbox Arena — the old Olympic stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park — for a night of DJ sets, good food, and star sightings — all thanks to H&M who have officially embarked on a three-month-long event tour celebrating their new look.
Most Nostalgic Collection: MAINS by Skepta
View this post on Instagram
What we really want to award Skepta’s second runway collection is ‘Most Likely to Encourage Guests to Enrol Back to School.’ But that’s a big of a mouthful, and frankly, the show itself was the real education we craved. And we’re pledging allegiance to MAINS. To a backdrop of lockers and a branded school crest, models walked in updated academic uniforms, reimagined flag motifs, and a Kickers collaboration that felt fit for the slightly rebellious, cool kid we all wish we were back in the day. “The show is a celebration of superheroes, a celebration of this Academy that me and my fellow creatives have assembled today,” Skepta shares in his show notes. “An academy of friends that taught me so much, much more than I learnt at school.”
Most Fun Fashion Week Party: Wonderland x UGG x Normai
We might be biased, but the Wonderland x UGG fashion week party at The Standard was truly a night to remember. To celebrate London Fashion Week and unveil our Autumn 24 cover, the issue’s star Normani gave a show-stopping performance to a dance floor full of A-list guests, with Ciroc beverages in hand and UGG boots on feet.