About London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2025: A Playful, Futuristic Vision

London Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2025 has wrapped up, and this season left us with an invigorating blend of creativity, nostalgia, and innovation. Known for its daring approach and willingness to push boundaries, the London shows continued to deliver surprises. From bold, futuristic designs to a fresh take on retro styles, here’s a breakdown of the brightest and most expected shows, alongside the trends that ruled the runway.

Richard Quinn: Couture Drama Meets Edge

Richard Quinn’s show was one of the most anticipated this season, and it certainly did not disappoint. Known for his opulent, over-the-top designs, Quinn brought his signature couture drama back to the runway, but this time with a more futuristic edge. His Spring-Summer 2025 collection was a masterclass in volume, with oversized gowns, heavy florals, and metallic accents dominating the show. However, what made this season stand out was his flirtation with avant-garde elements—he introduced sculptural headpieces and bold, 3D floral motifs that felt like a nod to both the past and the future. The theatricality of the show had everyone buzzing, and it solidified Quinn’s reputation as a master of blending romance with rebellion.

JW Anderson: Minimalism with a Twist

JW Anderson’s show was another highly anticipated event, offering a sharp contrast to Quinn’s maximalism. This season, Anderson focused on pared-back, minimalist looks—but with his signature twist. The collection played with texture and silhouette in ways that felt both restrained and innovative. Standout pieces included slouchy blazers, oversized knits, and deconstructed shirting that had a subtle yet sophisticated charm. Anderson’s approach felt refreshing amid the boldness of many other collections, proving that sometimes simplicity can speak the loudest.

One of the more unexpected elements in his collection was the incorporation of asymmetry and unusual draping. It brought an avant-garde edge to an otherwise understated aesthetic, making the pieces both wearable and statement-making. His show proved that minimalism when done right, can be just as striking as more flamboyant designs.

Simone Rocha: A Fusion of Femininity and Toughness

Simone Rocha’s collection struck the perfect balance between delicate femininity and tough, utilitarian elements. Rocha is known for her ability to merge the ethereal with the practical, and this season was no different. Lace, tulle, and floral embellishments made a return, but they were juxtaposed with more rugged elements like harnesses, oversized boots, and structured jackets. Rocha’s use of unexpected materials and layering made the collection feel both romantic and grounded.

One of the key moments of the show was her exploration of texture, particularly through layering transparent fabrics over tougher materials like leather and denim. The fusion of delicate and durable was symbolic of the broader trend this season, where contrasts became a theme across multiple designers’ collections.

Burberry: A Youthful Twist on Tradition

One of the most talked-about shows this season was Burberry, where Daniel Lee made a triumphant return to his British roots while pushing boundaries with a youthful edge. The iconic trench coat, which has long been Burberry’s signature, was reinterpreted with oversized silhouettes, colorful prints, and unexpected cuts. Lee skillfully balanced classic tailoring with experimental shapes, introducing a vibrant color palette that ranged from soft pastels to vivid florals. The collection was a clear departure from the brand’s more neutral past, with each piece exuding an air of playful elegance.

The Trends: Maximalism, Futurism, and Playful Retro

As for the trends that dominated London Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2025, maximalism was a key player. Designers leaned into exaggerated shapes, voluminous silhouettes, and playful embellishments. Richard Quinn’s floral gowns, Simone Rocha’s layered dresses, and the oversized knits at JW Anderson all spoke to this larger-than-life approach. It felt like a collective reaction to the more minimalist styles we’ve seen in previous seasons, signaling a shift toward bolder, more expressive fashion.

Another prominent trend was futurism, which manifested in metallic fabrics, sci-fi-inspired headpieces, and sleek, sculptural shapes. Richard Quinn led the charge here with his use of 3D florals and space-age silhouettes, while JW Anderson’s minimalism had an underlying futuristic feel with its clean lines and innovative shapes.

Retro influences were also prevalent, with designers like Simone Rocha incorporating vintage fabrics and silhouettes but giving them a contemporary twist. Many collections featured playful nods to the past—think ’70s florals, ’90s minimalism, and ’80s power dressing—but reworked for the modern era.

Street Style: Eclectic and Bold

No review of London Fashion Week would be complete without a mention of the street style, which, as always, served as a source of inspiration for both designers and attendees. This season, the street style was all about bold colors, unexpected layering, and a blend of high fashion with casual elements. Oversized blazers, statement accessories, and chunky footwear dominated the streets outside the shows, echoing the trends seen on the runway. What stood out was the fearless mix of patterns and textures—Londoners are never afraid to clash colors or prints, and this season was no different.

Final Thoughts: London Leading the Way

London Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2025 reaffirmed why this city is known as a hub for fashion experimentation and innovation. Whether it was Richard Quinn’s flamboyant showmanship, JW Anderson’s quiet reinvention of minimalism, or Simone Rocha’s artful blend of femininity and strength, the collections were diverse but united by a sense of creativity and boldness. As we look toward next season, the emerging trends—maximalism, futurism, and playful retro—will undoubtedly shape the fashion landscape in the coming months. London has once again proven that it’s at the forefront of global fashion, with designers willing to push the envelope and rewrite the rules of style.

I left the week feeling inspired and excited for what’s next, not just in terms of trends, but in the evolution of fashion as a whole. If this season taught us anything, it’s that fashion continues to be a dynamic conversation between the past, present, and future. And London, as always, is leading the way.

Article & Photos by Fashion Stylist Daria Beloyvan for Fashion Magazine 24 – stay tuned for more!