If you could hand out awards for the most atmospheric venue of London Fashion Week, KNWLS would certainly be a top contender. Charlotte Knowles and Alexandre Arsenault took over the old Central Saint Martins building in Holborn—untouched since 2011—for their Spring/Summer 2025 show, and the decaying grandeur set the perfect stage. As krautrock and Swedish grunge echoed through the halls, it felt like the ghosts of fashion past were coming alive. This season, KNWLS leaned into an unexpected sense of elegance—think corsetry, reimagined terry tracksuits, and bias-cut slip dresses, all with their signature edge. But it wasn’t all grit; the collection expanded into the eveningwear arena with references to couture icons like Balenciaga and Madame Grès, blending history with a future-facing, sensual twist. The finale? A lingerie-inspired wedding dress, boned by Knowles herself, made for the bride of 2025. A collaboration with Stephen Jones on leather helmet-like fascinators added another layer of sophistication, signalling that the KNWLS girl is all grown up. And they’re not stopping here—next stop, Shanghai Fashion Week.
