Running from 18 to 22 February 2022, London Fashion was again a digital-physical hybrid, but the emphasis seemed to return to physical runway shows and events across the capital.

This LFW showcased an incredible line-up of 129 menswear and womenswear brands including a mix of emerging designers and popular luxury brands, with 86 physical shows plus 61 digital activations. It was a 5-day celebration of London’s iconic radical creativity, innovation and forward-thinking culture, bringing together fashion, culture, and technology, with the LFW digital platform continuing to serve as the Official Digital Hub for industry professionals and global fashion consumers alike.

Reinforcing excellence and empowering growth, this season’s designers included big names like Ozwald Boateng, David Koma, Molly Goddard and Vivienne Westwood. But Newgen - the BFC's internationally-celebrated talent identification scheme that supports excellence in design and aims to build global brands – also showcased a diverse cast of young designers including Conner Ives, Robyn Lynch, Stefan Cooke, Feben, Helen Kirkum, Matty Bovan, Nensi Dojaka, Eftychia  Saul Nash, Richard Quinn, Roker, Saul Nash, Supriya Lele and Yuhan Wang. 

As a matter of fact, the British Fashion Council has reinforced its support of young designers pursuing a career in fashion by developing several schemes for emerging talent as part of London Fashion Week.

One of them was the LONDON show ROOMS event that took place on 24 to 27 February. Supported by the European Regional Development Fund and the Department for International Trade, the British Fashion Council used this initiative to reinforce its commitment to supporting business growth opportunities for emerging British designers, highlighting the strength and depth of London’s fashion community. LONDON show ROOMS took a selection of 10 talented young designers including Carlota Barrera, Chet Lo, Feben, Labrum London, Robyn Lunch and Yuhan Wang to the heart of the Italian Fashion District during Milan Fashion Week. They had the unique opportunity to promote their brands outside London at pop-up showroom WHITE Milano, with access reserved to buyers, press and fashion industry professionals.

But the BFC’s initiatives for young design talent during London Fashion Week won’t end here. To support upcoming designers who do not yet meet the main schedule criteria, this year’s DiscoveryLAB featured 15 selected designers including 6 womenswear, 4 menswear, 3 menswear & womenswear, and 2 accessories brands. The DiscoveryLAB scheme is an immersive digital showcase to discover and connect with new emerging brands and create collaborations within the creative industries, exploring the intersection of fashion, music, art, photography and performance.

To get there, aspiring designers looking to enter the fashion industry, can start their academic career at globally acclaimed fashion design school Istituto Marangoni in London.

Exploring experimental cut and contemporary streetstyle, the London school offers an industry-oriented Fashion Design programme, where students are encouraged to translate inspirations and ideas into a personal, recognisable style and vision.

Students in London may also opt for a three-year full-time course in Accessories Design, embracing the latest trends, innovative materials and technologies and sustainable resources for designers who love to experiment with new approaches and build their personal style.

The school’s offering includes undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Fashion Design Marketing, Menswear and Womenswear Design, Fashion Design Management, as well as a one-year preparatory Fashion Foundation course.

To learn more about all fashion design programmes, mentors and opportunities, check out the Istituto Marangoni London school official website.