London Fashion Week

September 2019 Street Style and Alexa Chung Catwalk

Earrings, bodysuit, and red suit: Zara

This August, the British Fashion Council announced that, for the first time ever, a handful of London Fashion Week shows would be open to the public! This decision comes at a pivotal time in the fashion industry when consumers are demanding representation and the democratization of fashion. As I happened to be in London during LFW, I happily jumped at the chance to attend Alexa Chung's Fall 2019 show.

Boots: Chinese Laundry

The Timeline!

12:45pm: I arrive outside the show. On the sidewalk, people are already queueing for Alexa Chung's catwalk. The attendees for today's show are dressed covered in feathers, wearing slick suits, sporting designer earrings, and of course, impatiently waiting for the doors to open. Street photographers are pacing up and down the sidewalk, trying to get a photo from anyone who will let them.

1:00pm: We finally enter! Tickets are scanned, wristbands are secured, and it's off to the races. I am guided to my seat and waiting for the show to start.

1:10pm: The show begins with a video from Alexa Chung herself saying that the collection is both inspired by heartbreak and going off the grid. The lights brighten and the first model walks out. (Watch the finale below!)

"I haven’t been interested in prettiness for a long time, and the world doesn’t look saccharine and innocent to me anymore. So here we are with “Off The Grid” - a gaggle of women have retreated, but there’s safety in numbers. They’re regrouping and plotting somewhere on the West Coast where nature is so beautiful and big it’s almost threatening. Deep beneath the soil in an underground bunker a new form of beauty is preparing to grow up and out like a virulent weed. We won’t be off the grid for long.” -Alexa Chung

1:25pm: After the show has ended, the event provides a talk with three different industry professionals discussing the current challenges that marginalized groups face in the industry today, specifically the LGBTQ+ community.

2:00pm: After the talk, I explored the venue and found different exhibitions and collections to view, as well as a few snacks along the way provided by the Lavazza coffee bar on site.

3:00pm: After seeing the catwalk, listening to the talk, and exploring the venue, I grabbed my tote bag filled with goodies and headed out the door!

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As someone who has grown up wishing to attend a fashion show and see the catwalk, it was an absolute privilege to see one from the front row. Though a recent decision, I commend the British Fashion Council for providing the public with the opportunity to also enjoy an experience that for so long has been exclusively offered to those within the industry.

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Outfit Details

Earrings, bodysuit, and red pantsuit are all from Zara! Since this summer, Zara has been such a go-to place for me to get fabulous and affordable pieces. The boots are Chinese Laundry and have also become a staple for me this season.