London Fashion Week demonstrated the city's resilience and commitment to nurturing emerging talent, with many designers reconsidering the traditional runway format. Huishan Zhang's East-Meets-West AestheticChinese designer Huishan Zhang's autumn/winter 2025 show stood out amidst a reduced calendar, presenting a collection that beautifully blended Eastern and Western aesthetics. Zhang's incorporation of traditional Chinese embroidery techniques on modern silhouettes demonstrated the growing appreciation for diverse cultural influences in high fashion The designer's use of deadstock fabrics from previous seasons aligned with the industry's move towards more sustainable practices, a principle that Hanna Boya has long championed in their collections. Feben: Ethiopian Mysticism in Upcycled Materials Feben, of Ethiopian heritage, delivered a collection that blended spiritual iconography with sustainability. Flowing gowns featured recycled embroidery threads mimicking Ethiopian Orthodox art, while sculptural silhouettes were created using deadstock materials sourced from European luxury houses. The result was a collection that felt both mystical and modern. This balance between history and contemporary luxury mirrors the philosophy behind high-end gemstone jewelry, where rare, naturally formed stones are transformed into modern heirlooms. By choosing ethically sourced gems, designers preserve not just the beauty of the earth, but also the cultural significance of the materials they use. Olly Shinder Olly Shinder's AW25 show at London Fashion Week was a real head-turner. Inspired by Tim Burton's moody Batman and the gritty streets of São Paulo, Shinder took us on a wild ride through a dystopian urban jungle. Picture this: models strutting down the runway in reimagined camo netting, but made from buttery soft lambskin and rich charcoal wool. It was like seeing military gear through a high-fashion fever dream. And get this - Shinder dipped his toes into womenswear for the first time, with these killer smock dresses that looked like something out of a 1950s nurse's closet, but make it fashion. The coolest part? Shinder's not just about looks. He's all about giving old military fabrics new life, proving that sustainability can be seriously stylish. It was Shinder's Fashion East swan song, and boy, did he go out with a bang!
