London Fashion Week opens with boost from big brands
London Fashion Week opens on Friday with the arrival of two heavyweights on the catwalk, Emporio Armani and Tommy Hilfiger, to challenge rival cities on the global style circuit, AFP reported.
"London -- dynamic, energetic and cosmopolitan -- represents global culture," designer Giorgio Armani said in a statement, describing the British capital as the "perfect setting" to unveil his new collection.
Armani's Sunday evening slot will be a highlight of the 66th London Fashion Week, showcasing a ready-to-wear women's collection for spring/summer 2018.
The giant of Italian fashion, more used to the catwalks of Milan, will also take the opportunity to open Emporio Armani's revamped store in the upmarket Mayfair area of central London.
Tommy Hilfiger will close Fashion Week on Tuesday evening, with a show hosted by the Roundhouse arts venue, known for concerts by stars including Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and David Bowie.
Coming hot off the heels of New York Fashion Week, London will host 85 catwalk shows across the capital. There will be 5,000 guests, among them journalists, buyers and fashionistas all looking at one another.
Saturday will see shows by British prodigies Gareth Pugh and J.W. Anderson, followed by the hot ticket Burberry at the end of the day.
It will be the first collection by the quintessentially British brand since the arrival of new president Marco Gobbetti, former chairman of French luxury brand Celine.