As the 100 different catwalk shows, presentations and events play out, the British Fashion Council has released Mintel data that shows that consumer spending on womenswear rose 5.5% to £30.9 billion in 2018, with womenswear now accounting for 51% of the total clothing market (menswear accounts for 26%). It also found that consumer spending on fashion is forecast to rise 25% to £76 billion over the next five years.

Against this economic background, LFW will focus on sustainable practices and the Positive Fashion initiative brought about via a partnership with BBC Earth and the designer Amy Powney, which explores the impact the fashion industry has on the planet and emphasizes opportunities for sustainable fashion choices. This edition also marks the second consecutive fur-free fashion week for the UK capital.

Highlights include Vivienne Westwood's return to the London catwalks on Sunday, as well as Burberry's second collection under Riccardo Tisci, which debuted the same day. A cohort of British brands such as Erdem, JW Anderson, Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha, Roksanda, Emilia Wickstead, Peter Pilotto and Mary Katrantzou are also showcasing their latest collections. On February 19, the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design -- which honors creativity, sustainability and community practices -- will be presented to Bethany Williams by the Duchess of Cornwall. 

With all this activity, it is not surprising that LFW expects to serve up 20,000 cups of Lavazza espresso, or that the Toni&Guy and Label.M hair and makeup teams will get through 7,014 different products backstage.

Cover photo by © DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP