September 19, 2026 |
Fashion East has been a highlight of London Fashion Week for 26 years. Lulu Kennedy and Raphaelle Moore’s emerging talent showcase sits at the heart of the London scene, and has given so many important designers a start, the schedule would be threadbare without its roll call of talented alumni.
On the way into the venue, (an indoor skate park in a South London), Louis Mayhew skipped in lieu of a catwalk show, displayed a look-book of upcycled clothes chaotically collaged with found objects, from mudlarked pipes to charity shop bric-a brac. Each piece is built around his belief in seeing beauty in ordinary or unwanted things.
Making their catwalk debut, Mé Mé is a recent St Martins MA graduate who has worked at McQueen and Maison Margiela. They brought a whimsical eccentricity to the Fashion East catwalk. Inspired by the casual glamour of the women he observed growing up in Hong Kong with each look telling the story of an ordinary moment. The designer used intense techniques to create fascinating textures and playful details from denim shrouded in tulle to deconstructed rain macs and the tulle smoke from a cigarette drifting over the models head to form a cloud-like head piece.
Showing for the third time, Jacek Gleba continues to draw on his background in dance. His designs fuse dance and modern sportswear shapes using delicate fabrics and lingerie techniques. This collection of draped dresses and cut out silk and lace camisoles referenced beach pyjamas from the 1920s and 1930s (early unisex items) as well as Pina Bauch dance costumes and collaboration with sustainably washed denim brand Jeanologia.
Bahamian designer Traiceline Pratt closed the showcase with his Goyagoma collection. His sophistication shone through with heavy polo shirts, completely covered in pearl sequins and the exaggerated proportions of a striking shearling coat that closed the show. Pratt has taste and a bright future.
Photography by Christina Fragkou.
