From 19-23 February, London is awash with fashionistas as designers, models, stylists, reporters, critics and bloggers gather in venues across the English capital, including Tate Britain, the imposing Freemasons' Hall and a car park. Among the 83 designers presenting their autumn/winter 2016 collections are Burberry, Alexander McQueen, Erdem and Topshop Unique.
The backstage areas at the shows are akin to beauty factories, with huge teams of make-up artists and hair stylists putting together the latest looks on an assembly line of models. IBTimes UK takes you behind the scenes at London Fashion Week autumn/winter 2016.
A model is styled backstage at the Topshop Unique catwalk showNeil Hall/ReutersStylists work on hairpieces for the Preen by Thornton Bregazzi show at TopShop Show SpaceJohn Phillips/GettyA model has her hair done backstage at the Molly Goddar show at TopShop Show SpaceTristan Fewings/GettyA make-up artist prepares a model for the House of Holland show at TopShop Show SpaceTristan Fewings/GettyA model is prepared backstage ahead of the Fashion East show at TopShop Show SpaceJeff Spicer/GettyA sign instructing models to walk naturally is seen backstage at the Ryan Lo showGareth Cattermole/GettyA photographer is seen backstage prior to the Ryan Lo showNicky J Sims/GettyEarrings, necklaces and other detailing backstage at the Ryan Lo showTristan Fewings/GettyShoe and sock detailing backstage at the Ryan Lo showTristan Fewings/GettyClose-up of a model's hair at the Barrus show during Fashion Scout at Freemasons' HallIan Gavan/GettyA general view backstage ahead of the Leaf Xia show at Fashion ScoutJeff Spicer/GettyA model poses backstage ahead of the Leaf Xia show at Fashion ScoutJeff Spicer/GettyStylists work on a model backstage ahead of the Ones to Watch show during Fashion Scout at Freemasons' HallEamonn M McCormack/GettyModels are made up backstage before the Prophetik show Fashion Scout show at Freemasons' HallGareth Cattermole/GettyA model touches up her make-up backstage before the Romhir show at Fashion ScoutNicky J Sims/GettyJewellery and accessories by Felix Bendish are seen backstage prior to the House of Mea show Fashion Scout showNicky J Sims/GettyA model is styled backstage at the punk-themed On|Off show during London Fashion WeekChris Ratcliffe/GettyModels line up backstage at the On|Off Presents Punk Diversity fashion show during London Fashion WeekChris Ratcliffe/GettyAn assistant steams an outfit backstage at the punk-themed On|Off showChris Ratcliffe/GettyModels show work by Jessie Western at the beginning of the On|Off Presents Punk Diversity showChris Ratcliffe/GettyA board indicating the looks for each model is seen backstage before the Vivienne Westwood show at Royal College of SurgeonsJohn Phillips/GettyDame Vivienne Westwood (M) and husband Andreas Kronthaler (R) watch rehearsals for her autumn/winter 2016 show at the Royal College of SurgeonsJohn Phillips/GettyModels wait backstage of the Japser Conran catwalk showNeil Hall/ReutersAccessories and a board showing models' looks are seen backstage at the Japser Conran showNeil Hall/Reuters
Among the first to show at LFW 2016 for autumn/winter 2016 was South Korean designer J JS Lee, who said that her line was inspired by Victorian architecture and furnishings. Models wore tailored trouser and skirt suits with frayed detailing as well as dresses with draped detailing in red, yellow, black and white.
Also showing was South Korean designer Eudon Choi, who originally started out as a menswear designer before moving into womenswear. Speaking backstage at his show, he talked about the insecurities he felt whenever he creates a new collection, saying: "Every season it's just agony. I think that's the most exciting part but also most stressful part: 'What am I going to do next season?' I just feel so insecure, like I'm the worst designer in the world, but I guess all creative people feel the same. It's the agony of creativity."
Models backstage before the Eudon Choi show at Brewer Street Car ParkTristan Fewings/GettyModels stand backstage at the Eudon Choi show at BFC Show Space Brewer StreetTristan Fewings/GettyModels backstage ahead of the J JS Lee show at Brewer Street Car ParkTristan Fewings/GettyA model has her make-up done backstage at the J JS Lee showTristan Fewings/GettyA make-up artist paints a model's lips backstage ahead of the Sibling showNicky J Sims/GettyA model has her done before the Mary Katrantzou show at Central Saint MartinsStuart C Wilson/GettyA model has her make-up done for the Mary Katrantzou showStuart C Wilson/GettyA general view of the backstage area during London Fashion Week autumn/winter 2016/17 at Freemasons' HallGareth Cattermole/Getty
One of the most anticipated shows was that of luxury goods brand Mulberry, which returned on Sunday (21 February) after a three-year break from the runway with new creative director Johnny Coca, formerly of Louis Vuitton and Céline. Another highlight this year was the Alexander McQueen show, which moved from Paris to London — the hometown of the brand's late designer — for the first time in more than a decade.
Burberry and Tom Ford announced new strategies that would allow them to close the gap between the runway and retail in order to get clothing and accessories more quickly to customers in different climates around the world. Burberry said it would no longer present two separate womenswear and menswear shows a year, but instead hold February and September shows that would feature both menswear and womenswear collections. Ford announced it would debut its autumn/winter collection in early September and make it available to purchase in stores and online on the same day.
