London Fashion week opens with tribute to gender-fluid designs

London Fashion Week (LFW) opened Thursday with designer Harris Reed's striking silhouettes celebrating gender-fluid fashion. The 28-year-old British-American designer, also the creative director at Nina Ricci, presented his "Romanticism Gone Nonbinary" collection at Tate Britain. Reed, known for his theatrical designs, has gained celebrity fans like Harry Styles, Lil Nas X, Adele, and Beyonce.

The event, shortened by one day this year, sees several absentees, including JW Anderson, who is rumored to be replacing Daniel Lee at Dior. Other notable designers such as Erdem, Simone Rocha, and Richard Quinn will take over the runways from Friday.

This year, the British Fashion Council (BFC) introduces sustainability standards for young designers, marking a shift toward eco-conscious fashion practices. The BFC has also banned wild animal skins and fur, following previous bans on exotic skins.

Despite challenges such as Brexit and the pandemic, BFC director Caroline Rush remains confident in LFW’s relevance. This year marks her final LFW, with Laura Weir set to take over.