7 Designers to Watch at London Fashion Week FW23
Introducing Sinead Gorey, HARRI and more.
The next iteration of London Fashion Week is finally upon us. Following a pared-back approach to the schedule last season, it appears that FW23 is back with a bang and we can’t wait to see what it has in store for us. As always, established designers make their runway return, but what’s always the most exciting is seeing the impressive roster of emerging talent making their fashion week debuts and beyond.
This season is set to play host to some of the most exciting up-and-comers in and around London right now, including Harri (aka the designer behind that Sam Smith BRITs fit,) first-timer Sinead Gorey and 2022 International Woolmark Prize-winner, Saul Nash. Alongside established players like JW Anderson, Burberry and Molly Goddard, the forthcoming showcase is set to include a number of presentations from first-time labels and NEWGEN designers and we’ve collated an extensive list of our ones to watch.
Read on to find out more about the seven emerging designers to keep on your radar this London Fashion Week season.
HARRI
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Harikrishnan Keezhathil Surendran Pillai is the founder of HARRI, and the designer behind Sam Smith’s balloon-inspired BRITs look. The Kerala-born menswear designer attended London College of Fashion on a whim, as he visited the university while accompanying his friend to their interviews and post graduation, his namesake label was born. Known for his now-viral “balloon” pants, the designer made his LFW debut last season and has big plans for his forthcoming showcase.
Sinead Gorey
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London-based designer Sinead Gorey is set to make her LFW debut this season, after her vibrant designs have been worn by the likes of Shenseaa, Julie Adenuga and Megan Thee Stallion. Gorey’s brand rose to fame as a result of her buzzy, thermal imaging-style designs, quickly adopted by the U.K. club-wear scene, and has since gone on to design some of the most eclectic and inclusive partywear in the capital.
Saul Nash
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2022 Woolmark Prize and Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design winner Saul Nash has more than a few notches on his belt. His namesake label kickstarted in 2018 after graduating from the Royal College of Art with an MA in Menswear and since then, both Nash’s brand and profile have been on a constant rise. Alongside fashion design, Nash is known for his choreography and creative work, collaborating with the likes of Bianca Saunders, Shygirl, Ib Kamara, adidas x Gucci and most recently, Mercedes Benz.
NOKI
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The provocative designer’s collections take cues from the ’90s rave scene and Katie Leasn’s Adbusters network. The brand’s SS23 collection, “Franken-fashion,” fused pop culture iconography with graffiti prints, used skateboards as accessories and featured looks like “Karen With A K” and “We Love Judy Button Up B-tch.” Noki‘s collections merge sustainable and deadstock materials with limitless creativity and as a result it’s a label we’ll be keeping a very close eye on.
Ingrid Kraftchenko
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British fashion designer Ingrid Kraftchenko seeks to create everyday essentials for today’s anti-fashion youth. Her eco-futurist, politically-inspired designs utilize deadstock and discarded materials, offering a sustainable approach to modern luxury. Prior to starting her own label in 2019, the avant-garde designer cut her teeth at Margiela and Helmut Lang and has since gone on to design for the likes of Sevdaliza, Anna Calvi and Madonna.
KWK by KAYKWOK
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Chinese designer Kay Kwok is known for his futuristic approach to design, gaining his experience at Alexander McQueen before making his LFW debut in 2013. In the last few years, Kwok’s label has gone from strength to strength, with the likes of Lil Nas X and Lucky Daye wearing his phygital designs — often centered around fluidity and movement.
Rastah
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Pakistani designer Zain Ahmed co-founded Rastah with a view to reinterpreting South Asian artisanship and heritage for a modern audience. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences, Rastah merges traditional techniques and fabrics with contemporary silhouettes and designs. The brand’s latest offering, “Volume 9” is centered around the concepts of conflict and desire, exploring “what it means to suffer in a largely material world.”
