London Fashion Week is entering a new era. In her first major address as Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council (BFC), Laura Weir has revealed sweeping changes designed to reposition the capital as a powerhouse of creative fashion — accessible, global, and future-focused.
In a bid to “reset” British fashion, Weir outlined a new strategy that places designers at the heart of the BFC’s operations while addressing long-standing industry barriers such as cost, access, and visibility.
The most headline-grabbing announcement? Participation fees for designers showing at London Fashion Week will be waived for all BFC members starting from September 2025.
“We need to be radical, ambitious, and intentional about the future of British fashion,” Weir said during her speech in London. “Our designers are some of the most creative in the world—it’s time they had the support to match.”
A Designer-First Framework
The decision to scrap fees is part of a broader overhaul designed to level the playing field for independent designers and small brands, long priced out of the official LFW schedule.
While major fashion cities like Berlin and Stockholm already operate fee-free models, London had yet to follow suit — until now.
Other changes include:
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Doubling investment in the international guest programme, to attract a wider network of buyers, editors, and global industry players.
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A three-year extension of the BFC’s flagship NEWGEN programme, providing continued financial and mentorship support to emerging designers through 2029.
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Expanded scholarship funding and enhanced mentorship for fashion students and early-career creatives.
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The launch of the BFC Fashion Assembly, an education initiative encouraging designers to visit schools and inspire the next generation, particularly outside of London.
LFW February 2025 | In London, Creativity Triumphs
A National Approach to Creativity
Perhaps the most culturally resonant part of Weir’s vision is her commitment to decentralising fashion from the capital. The BFC Fashion Assembly, led by renowned fashion critic Sarah Mower, will take designers back to their hometowns and schools across the UK.
This grassroots outreach aims to broaden access to fashion education and challenge the notion that fashion belongs solely to elite institutions or London postcodes.
“We need to go where the talent is—and help it grow there,” Weir noted.
London as a Cultural Export
In addition to internal industry reform, the BFC under Weir is positioning fashion as a form of cultural diplomacy. London, she argues, is not just a stage for style but a platform for storytelling, innovation, and identity. Fashion Week will become more than a series of shows — it will be an international cultural event, designed to showcase British creativity to the world.
What’s Next?
The changes will be piloted during the September 2025 edition of London Fashion Week, which runs from 18th – 22nd September.
Designers participating will be able to take advantage of the fee waiver for the first time, and the restructured guest programme will be in full swing.
Menswear will now be integrated into the main September schedule, moving away from standalone showcases, in line with the evolving global menswear calendar.
A Long-Awaited Shake-Up
For years, critics have voiced concern that London Fashion Week — while artistically vibrant — lacked the commercial infrastructure and long-term support seen in Paris or Milan. Weir’s announcements aim to close that gap and ensure British designers don’t just launch here — but stay, grow, and thrive.
“London fashion is at a crossroads,” Weir concluded. “This is about reclaiming our global relevance and making sure that brilliance born in Britain stays in Britain.”
The future of London Fashion Week looks brighter, bolder, and—at long last—fairer.
For more on the new initiatives, visit britishfashioncouncil.co.uk
