The ultimate guide to London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week is descending on the capital. From Friday the 17th to Tuesday the 21st of February, the city will be buzzing with all the action that accompanies the AW23 Collections.

For many, Fashion Week is a mad few days of dashing around, jumping from show to show without a moment to sip a cappuccino. If you’re planning to attend LFW, here’s our five-step basic survival guide for cruising through the week in style.


1. Where to stay

Picking a good hotel is a must – especially if you’re on the go day and night – and location is key. You want to keep your running around to a minimum, so it’s vital to choose a resting place nearby to the shows or showrooms you want to visit. Travelodge has a number of Central London hotels and will always provide you with a comfy bed, essential WiFi and everything else you need for a spot of relief through the week. Use our Best Price Finder to ensure you get the best deal for your stay.

2. What shows to see

London is well known for its groundbreaking, edgy fashion and British designers are celebrated all over the world. Events from more than 116 designers are on the programme including the favoured Molly Goddard, Richard Quinn and Simone Rocha. This season’s one to watch is Burberry as this is their first show under new Chief Creative Officer, Daniel Lee.

The official schedule will give you a clear idea of which shows you can see, where and when. Whilst most shows are invite-only, you can get creative to find out what’s next in fashion. Simply hanging around in the city close to show venues can open up windows of opportunity. Follow (hashtag) LFW on Twitter and Instagram for rolling updates. Remember that most shows will run a fashionable 30 minutes late, so take this into consideration when planning your timetable.

3. Get showroom savvy

A great way to get to grips with the new trends is by visiting the Designer Showrooms, located at Somerset House and around the West End. Check out the ERDEM Store this year for their first Men’s Collection, or visit the London College of Fashion on the 18th to glimpse their world-class designers. Basing yourself centrally will mean you shouldn’t have too much travelling to do, but at all costs, do remember it’s London easing out of  Winter. There’s nothing like waiting outside a venue in the rain as your mascara wilts, while your trusty umbrella’s sitting in the Travelodge hotel room.

4. Food and drink

It can feel like you have no downtime during Fashion Week, but it is important to enjoy yourself and boost flagging energy. Many restaurants will be reservation-only, so it is necessary to plan in advance – especially if you want to join the rest of the fashion elite. Trendy spots include the celebrity favourite Chiltern Firehouse, the dining room at Sketch, Buddha Bar for cocktails, and Michelin-starred Benares. For on-the-run snacks, pick up a trendy sushi salad from Itsu or a delightfully luscious frozen yoghurt from SNOG.

5. City Wide Celebration

LFW’s City Wide Celebration is a specially designed programme of experiences and workshops open to the public alongside the runway shows and designer showrooms. Sample everything from panel discussions to styling sessions, then get hands-on with candle making at French Connection and the interactive exhibition made from textile waste at Anciela. The events taking place are designed to create discussion around Zero-Waste Craftmanship and upcycling when it comes to the fashion industry. Plus, we know LFW is renowned for legendary parties, so be sure to check out the shopping party at Free People!