What Does the Queen’s Passing Mean for London Fashion Week?
Words Lily Hall
London Fashion Week is one of the most significant events of the year within the fashion industry, with this year’s set to be the biggest in three years after pandemic-related disruptions. Due to the unfortunate passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, there is some uncertainty about the schedule for the spring/summer 23 fashion shows.
The fashion world has been paying their respects and gratitude to the Queen, the UK’s longest reigning monarch, who died at the age of 96, at home in Balmoral. Her Majesty, across her 70 years of reign, was a long-time supporter of the British fashion industry and has been an inspiration for designers, such as Richard Quinn who created a collection referencing the monarch.
In 2018, for the first time, the Queen sat front row at Quinn’s show during London Fashion Week before presenting him with the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. The British Fashion Council added to their tribute, “Her Majesty’s effortless style, charm and sense of fun was evident and her passion in supporting young creatives will continue to inspire the next generation”.
The mourning period for the Queen, in the lead up to her funeral, will affect day to day life like television broadcasting and sports fixtures. The British Fashion Council released a statement following the death stating that shows and presentations scheduled for London Fashion Week could continue but non-essential events, like parties and openings,will be cancelled as a sign of respect. Any shows scheduled for the date of the funeral will be rearranged.
Shows and presentations that will go ahead have been asked to “respect the mood of the nation and period of national mourning by considering the timing of their image release”. The British Fashion Council have claimed they will also communicate this message to the media and the BFC communication channels will be dedicated to the impact and influence of Her Majesty The Queen.
Although shows may continue, major luxury fashion brand Burberry has decided to cancel their runway show in response and respect to the death of the Queen. Burberry is usually one of the centrepieces and biggest names of the week and the decision not to showcase the spring/summer 2023 collection will likely put pressure on organisers and other brands to cancel.
Similarly, Claudie Pierlot, a French luxury label, has cancelled its SS23 presentation which was set to take place on Friday 16th September at its London Marylebone flagship store. The collection will be previewed at the Paris Fashion Week in late September instead. The Raf Simons catwalk show has also been cancelled, as the country enters a period of official mourning, out of respect during a time of great sadness.
A pared-back London Fashion Week will go ahead in the coming weeks while still recognising and remembering the Queen’s life and extraordinary legacy.