If you want to predict how a designer’s next season will go, don’t look at the clothes on the runway, don’t look at their front rows — or frown at fashion insiders.
Celebrities don’t just bring glitz and glamour, they serve a much more important purpose: dressed in your brand’s image, they are powerful ambassadors. And they have been sorely lacking at London Fashion Week for several years.
But this year they’re back and nowhere more in evidence than at yesterday’s Burberry show, held at Highbury Fields, north London.
There aren’t many designers who can make it to the forefront like Burberry. Its creative director Daniel Lee did not disappoint the guests of his first spring/summer collection for the historic British brand.
It was filled with the UK’s coolest emerging talent, alongside some of the most established names in the industry – all dressed head to toe for this new season.
Wearing a belted trench coat, Kylie Minogue (pictured) was among the stars who attended the Burberry Spring/Summer 2024 show at London Fashion Week.
Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley also attended the fashion show, alongside her fiancé Jason Statham.
Actress Jodie Comer (pictured) wore a strapless gray dress for the event, which took place during London Fashion Week.
There was iconic Burberry model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, arriving in a signature beige trench coat and statement yellow sandals, on the arm of her fiancé, Hollywood star Jason Statham.
Actress Rachel Weisz opted for an oversized green version of the traditional belted coat while Kylie Minogue also opted for green but in leather.
Model Jourdan Dunn was a head-to-toe purple vision with a giant plaid pattern.
Actress Jodie Comer and model Georgia May Jagger also opted for Lee’s new oversized check – Ms. Comer in a strapless gray dress and Ms. Jagger in a jacquard knit turtleneck and pink, lime and canary yellow.
Fashion newcomers bringing a London twist to the proceedings included Irish actress Jessie Buckley, wearing a grunge t-shirt with a giant red check shirt and matching trousers.
Meanwhile, singer Mabel opted for an oversized grunge t-shirt with blue checked pants. When it came to the show itself, the “new” trench – a modern take on the old classic that Burberry is known for – dominated.
Lee’s version is belted low, slimmer and with exaggerated lapels. The familiar beige color was present, but the emphasis was more on black, bright white and striking prints. The traditional nova check is making a comeback on the lining.
In addition to the reinvented trench coat, the emphasis was placed on leather accessories and shoes.
Actress Rachel Weisz donned green for the event, at one point wearing an oversized belted coat over her outfit.
Georgia May Jagger (photo), another of the stars at the Burberry show, wore a jacquard knit turtleneck and a pink, lime and canary yellow mini skirt.
This isn’t surprising given that Lee previously worked for Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta and has enjoyed season after season of accessory success.
Almost every look included a handbag – oversized, cross-body, chain-strap, canvas and quilted.
There was also a brighter color palette. Burberry’s electric blue was seen throughout its Fall/Winter 2023 collection and campaigns, and it was well represented here, cementing it as the brand’s signature color.
Big names were also on the catwalk, with appearances from models Karen Elson, Liberty Ross, Neelam Gill and Adwoa Aboah.
If London is trying to reclaim its crown as the fashion capital, Burberry is leading the charge.
