London Fashion Week 2026: Where to go, What to See & Where to Stay

There are few times when London feels quite as stylish as it does during Fashion Week.

From 17-21 September 2026, designers, models, buyers, editors, photographers and fashion lovers from around the world will be arriving in the capital for five days of runway shows, presentations, parties, exhibitions and events. The biggest catwalks might be invite-only, but you don't need a fashion-industry pass to enjoy the atmosphere.

If you're coming to London for Fashion Week, staying somewhere central makes all the difference. You can head into the action during the day, explore some of London's best fashion neighbourhoods, and come back to your own Pocket Apartment when you're ready to put your feet up. Here's our guide to making the most of it.

When is London Fashion Week 2026?

Thursday 17 - Monday 21 September 2026

The September edition showcases the Spring/Summer 2027 collections, with womenswear, menswear, accessories, emerging designers, established British brands and a growing programme of cultural and retail events.

Some of the biggest names returning to the official schedule this season include McQueen, Mulberry, Burberry, Emilia Wickstead, Erdem, Harris Reed, Richard Quinn, Roksanda and Simone Rocha, alongside plenty of newer names to look out for, including BFC NEWGEN designers and emerging British talent.

So whether you're a serious fashion fan or simply want to see what all the fuss is about, September is a brilliant time to be in London.

Thursday 17 September - Opening day

Fashion Week gets going with a packed first day. The official schedule includes Paul Costelloe, Joyce Bao, Keburia, Agro Studio, Maximilian Raynor, Mithridate, Mark Fast and Harris Reed, with the day finishing on H&M's Fashion Week event.

One of the easiest things for visitors to get involved with is the BFC Jewellery Showcase at Dover Street Market, which is open to the public and runs from 11am to 7pm. And then there's McQueen at 8pm - one of the biggest moments of the opening day, with Sean McGirr's London debut for the house one we're particularly excited to see this season.

Pocket tip: Don't try to chase every show. Fashion Week venues are spread around London, so pick a couple of things you'd really like to see and leave yourself time to explore between them.

Friday 18 September - Emerging talent & Fashion East

Friday brings a mix of established names and some of the most exciting emerging designers. The schedule includes Bora Aksu, M&S, Susan Fang, Ashley Williams, Fashion East, Aaron Esh, Natasha Zinko and Paolo Carzana, alongside presentations and NEWGEN showcases throughout the day.

Fashion East at 5pm is one to keep an eye on if you're interested in discovering designers before they become household names - the programme has a long history of supporting emerging London talent, and it's one of the things that makes London Fashion Week feel different from some of the bigger fashion weeks around the world.

The BFC Jewellery Showcase at Dover Street Market remains open to the public throughout the day too.

Saturday 19 September - A big day for British fashion

Saturday is when things really start to build. The official schedule includes Ahluwalia, TOGA, KNWLS, Richard Quinn, Yuhan Wang and Chopova Lowena, along with presentations from a number of emerging designers.

If you're looking for one day to really soak up the Fashion Week atmosphere, Saturday is a good choice. Even without a ticket to a runway show, you'll find fashion crowds moving around the city, independent events taking place, and plenty of opportunities to discover designers, shops and exhibitions.

The BFC Jewellery Showcase at Dover Street Market is open to the public again, and it's also worth keeping an eye out for independent Fashion Week events and showrooms - these aren't official BFC runway shows, but there are public-facing runway experiences, designer showcases and networking events happening around London during the week.

Sunday 20 September - The big names

Sunday is arguably one of the biggest days of the week. The schedule includes Simone Rocha, Erdem, Emilia Wickstead, Mulberry by Christopher Kane, Roksanda, Onalaja and McQueen.

There's a particularly exciting moment at 3pm with Mulberry by Christopher Kane, marking his debut collection for the British house, followed by McQueen at 8pm. If you're planning your weekend around Fashion Week, this is the day we'd circle in the diary.

Once the shows wrap up, there's plenty happening elsewhere in London too - the London Design Festival runs from 12–20 September, so you can easily combine fashion with installations, exhibitions and design events across the capital.

Monday 21 September - The finale

The final day doesn't go quietly. Monday's schedule includes Di Petsa, Ashish, Tolu Coker and Liza Keane, before the week wraps up with one of the most recognisable names in British fashion - Burberry at 7pm.

There's also another chance to visit the public BFC Jewellery Showcase at Dover Street Market during the day. For anyone staying through Monday evening, Burberry makes a fitting finale to five days of fashion, creativity and London energy.

Can anyone go to London Fashion Week?

This is probably the most important thing to know before planning your trip: not all London Fashion Week events are open to the public.

The official BFC schedule includes a large number of catwalks and presentations marked "invite only," primarily intended for press, buyers, industry professionals and invited guests. That doesn't mean you need an invitation to experience Fashion Week, though.

The official London Fashion Week digital platform is free and accessible to everyone, letting fashion lovers around the world explore designers and collections online. There are also public showcases and events - the BFC Jewellery Showcase at Dover Street Market, for instance, is open to the public throughout the week.

You'll also find independent ticketed fashion shows, showrooms, shopping experiences and creative events happening around London. Just check whether an event is officially part of the BFC schedule or an independent event running alongside Fashion Week before you buy a ticket.

Pocket tip: If you're travelling specifically for a particular designer, don't assume you'll be able to buy a ticket on the door. Check the official LFW schedule and the individual event listing well in advance.

Getting to Fashion Week from Pocket Apartments

This is where staying with Pocket really comes in handy. Our apartments are in Notting Hill and Kensington, with excellent Tube connections into central London.

From Linden Gardens, Notting Hill: our apartments here are just a few minutes from Notting Hill Gate Underground station, giving you access to the Central, Circle and District lines. For many central Fashion Week destinations, the Central line eastbound is your easiest option, taking you towards Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road and beyond, depending on where your event is.

From Vicarage Gate, Kensington: Vicarage Gate is also extremely well connected, with High Street Kensington and Notting Hill Gate both close by. That gives you a choice between the District/Circle lines from High Street Kensington or the Central line from Notting Hill Gate, depending on your destination.

Because Fashion Week venues move around the city, it's worth checking your exact venue before setting off rather than assuming every show is in the same place. And allow extra time - crowds, photographers, road closures and last-minute venue changes can all make a journey take longer than expected.

Where to wander between shows

You don't need an invitation to enjoy London's fashion scene.

Notting Hill & Westbourne Grove - start close to home. Notting Hill is brilliant for independent boutiques, vintage shops and designer interiors, plus the ever-changing Portobello Road. Westbourne Grove is the pick if you're after more polished fashion and lifestyle stores. And since you're staying nearby, you can pop back to your apartment whenever you need a break.

Mayfair & Soho - for designer shopping, head towards Mayfair and Bond Street, where you'll find some of the biggest luxury names alongside beautiful department stores, galleries and stylish restaurants. It's also a good spot for the unofficial Fashion Week action - the street style, photographers and fashion crowds are often almost as interesting as the shows themselves.

Covent Garden & Seven Dials - if you're after a mix of fashion, beauty, food and people-watching, this area is always worth a wander, and it's a great place to head after a show for dinner or drinks.

Start your Fashion Week day at Pocket Coffee

Fashion Week mornings can start early. Before heading into town, stop by Pocket Coffee on Kensington Church Street for a coffee and something to eat. It's the perfect place to plan your day, check the schedule, charge your phone and get your outfit sorted before heading out - because if you're going to London Fashion Week, you're allowed to put a little thought into what you're wearing.

Where to eat during Fashion Week

One of the best things about staying in Notting Hill or Kensington is that you don't have to eat in central London every night. There are fantastic restaurants and cafés close to the apartments, so after a long day of shows you can head back west rather than spending another hour crossing the city.

For a more glamorous Fashion Week evening, head into Mayfair or Soho. For something relaxed and local, stay around Notting Hill and Westbourne Grove. And if you just want a quick coffee and a wander, Farm Girl on Portobello Road is a popular Notting Hill stop.

Need a break from fashion?

Five days of runway shows, street style and busy London streets can be a lot. Sometimes the best Fashion Week activity is sitting down for a film. For something local, The Gate Picturehouse is right by Notting Hill Gate - perfect for a quieter evening without travelling back into central London. Or simply head back to your Pocket Apartment, put your feet up and enjoy having your own space.

Staying with Pocket during London Fashion Week

Fashion Week is exciting, but it can also be exhausting, which is why having somewhere comfortable and central to come back to makes such a difference.

At Pocket Apartments, you're staying in Kensington or Notting Hill, with Tube connections, cafés, restaurants, shops and some of London's best neighbourhoods right outside your door. You also get the freedom of your own apartment rather than being tied to a hotel schedule - cook something simple, unpack properly, relax after a long day or get ready for your next event without feeling like you're living out of a tiny hotel room.

And if you're arriving early or have checked out but still have a few hours before travelling home, our bag drop service at Pocket Coffee means you can leave your luggage with us and enjoy a few more hours in London hands-free.

London Fashion Week isn't just about the runway

The best thing about Fashion Week in London is that you can experience it in your own way. You might have a front-row invitation and a packed schedule, or you might spend the day exploring vintage shops, visiting the public showcases, taking photos of street style, discovering a new designer or simply enjoying the atmosphere. You might even come to London without a single Fashion Week ticket and still have a brilliant time. That's the beauty of it.

And when the day is over, you can come back to your Pocket in Kensington or Notting Hill, grab a coffee, change into something comfortable and get ready to do it all again tomorrow. Stay with Pocket Apartments and make London Fashion Week your own.