London College of Fashion (LCF), a renowned institution within the University of the Arts London (UAL), kicked off its celebration of the Class of 2024 with a runway show at Protein Studios in east London. The event featured collections from 128 students studying on the BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Menswear and Womenswear courses, drawing a diverse audience of industry insiders, sustainability advocates like Dr Brett Staniland and Aja Barber, and performers such as Black Peppa. Emphasizing themes of sustainability and inclusivity, the showcase highlighted LCF's commitment to fostering a progressive and diverse fashion education. The exhibition will run until July 24th at LCF's new location in East Bank, Stratford, offering an opportunity to explore the college's varied creative disciplines. See below some of our picks, photography by Roger Dean: Kristine Dzene Xina Chen Zining Wang Lucas Lee Suyeon Cha Zihan Feng Jihao Li Ziqi Yang Chunxi Ren Sophie Johnstone Ziyu Liang Ziyin Yang Jiayue Yu Stephanie Gu You Wu Clara Nicholson Jiazhen Chen Xiaoman Li Madeline Paccie Boyu Wang Jiarui Shi Ellie Willis Wonseok Lim Vikija Timermane Ziyu Wu Xu Yan Alice Chittick Chen Hao Lin Samuel Thelwell Jinho Cho Tom Ward Bingrong Huang Zhenqi Mi

Welcome to Summer 2024 in London, where the best bags of the season are not only a testament to impeccable style but also a masterclass in functionality and innovation. This season, the spotlight is on bags that blend aesthetic allure with practical elegance, ensuring that every outing—from Hyde Park picnics to late nights in Soho—is carried out with panache. From the fashion shows of Somerset House to the vibrant streets of Shoreditch, the trends are clear: vibrant hues, sustainable materials, and versatile designs are the hallmarks of this season’s must-have accessories. Whether you're a minimalist at heart or a maximalist in spirit, there is a bag that speaks your language, ready to elevate your summer ensemble to new heights. Join us as we unveil the crème de la crème of Summer 2024's bag offerings in London. We'll delve into the latest creations from leading designers, highlight emerging brands making waves, and explore how each piece can seamlessly integrate into your wardrobe. Get ready to discover your new favourite companion for the sun-soaked days ahead—because this summer, your bag isn't just an accessory, it's a statement. Big Bag Energy For the Spring/Summer season on the runway, we saw a somewhat departure from the small bags we had been witnessing for a few years, with designers presenting us with bigger, fuller more structured and functional examples. Bags were actually overflowing with the stuff of daily life, and designers finally made us feel like we could relate to what was going on at the runway show. Barrel Bags One trend that harkens back to pre-pandemic days, specifically the early 2005-2010 “It” girl aesthetic, is the barrel bag. There was a time when walking down Oxford Street, you couldn't miss the abundance of people sporting this iconic style. It even found its way into menswear with a sleek, black-leather, utilitarian twist. Now, this classic is making a strong return—if it ever truly left the fashion trend lexicon - however, this time they are modern, minimalist and in bright colours. Crystals, Sparkles And Gold While TikTokers spent the majority of 2023 telling us that we need to focus on quiet luxury, designers were never about blending in and always about making a statement. That’s why on the runways of Spring/Summer 2024 we saw many brands bring back the gold chains and the sparkles. At Schiaparelli we saw our essentials glued on a tote, at Dolce and Gabbana we saw a small clutch covered in golden crystals creating a stunning mesh, and at Stella McCartney - a silver bedazzled clutch with a crystal fringe. Half-Moon Bags The croissant-shaped creations have been around for decades, coming in and out of fashion, but they make it into the list of our top recommendations due to their fun aesthetic, silhouette and colours they come in from a variety of designers. Lady Bags A touch of 60s glamour might be what some our readers desire, and for you we have some great news - the so-called Lady bags have been making a strong return both on the runway and at red carpets across the globe; and with this comes our recommendation on our favourite styles. Envelope Bags The refined edges of these envelope bags are the perfect addition to a polished outfit. They are spacious enough to hold your essentials, yet their sleek and streamlined design ensure they elevate any outfit. Additionally, their versatile style transitions seamlessly from day to night, making them an ideal accessory for all your summer activities. Red Bags Since Sabato De Sarno joined Gucci, many fashion fanatics have been associating the deep shade of red with Gucci, and the so-called Ancora red Sarno has been trying to mainstream into pop culture, but similar shades of red have been house codes for years at houses like Valentino and McQueen. And with the rise of more muted fashion and blocks of black, beige, nude and white shades, celebrities and influencers have introduced the famous pop of red into their wardrobes to spice up their looks. Woven Bags Woven bags for Summer - nothing ground-breaking; they’ve been the go-to for fashion lovers, especially when it comes to beach visits, but they’ve become a main staple on many catwalks for the Spring/Summer 2025 season, making them an essential for the city girl. They add some texture and grit to your outfit and come in many shapes and styles, making them a truly universal accessory. Round Bags The obsession with round bags began gaining momentum in late 2023 and has solidified its place as a wardrobe staple for 2024. Known for their spacious interiors, round bags offer ample room while adding a playful and contemporary touch to any outfit. Ideal for carrying essentials with a hint of whimsy, they effortlessly blend fashion-forward design with practicality.

At Istituto Marangoni London, the prestigious international school of fashion and design, creativity took center stage as ten BA Fashion Design students showcased their collections at the highly anticipated end-of-year runway show. Titled “Decoded Identities,” this year’s event was an immersive exploration of self and society, deftly navigating the interplay of personal experience and environmental influence. Set against the striking backdrop of Frameless in London’s Marble Arch, the interactive show harnessed cutting-edge technology to create a digitally immersive experience. Floor-to-ceiling screens and reflective floors provided a dynamic canvas for the students’ work, seamlessly blending digital content with the physical collections. Under the guidance of BA Fashion Design Programme Lead Stelios Geros, the ten finalists were selected to present six looks each. Geros elaborated on the rigorous selection process and highlighted the journey of Tara Adineh, crowned Designer of the Year, whose collection stood out for its material experimentation and reimagining of traditional techniques.

Now that the excitement of Paris Fashion Week has settled, it's the perfect time to delve into what this season's men's Spring/Summer 2025 shows have to offer. Navigating the fast-paced fashion world can be overwhelming, but we've curated the standout moments and trends for you. Here's a look at the best collections from Paris Fashion Week, examining what worked on the runway and what missed the mark, to provide fresh inspiration for elevating your wardrobe this upcoming season.

Berlin Fashion Week witnessed a spectacular display of avant-garde fashion with the Namilia Spring/Summer 2025 runway show. Known for their provocative and fearless designs, Namilia’s designers Nan Li and Emilia Pfohl once again pushed the boundaries of fashion, blending audacious concepts with powerful social commentary. Setting the Stage The venue was transformed into an otherworldly landscape with holographic projections and metallic accents, setting the perfect stage for what was to come. The audience, packed with fashion insiders, celebrities, and influencers, waited eagerly as the lights dimmed and an electronic symphony filled the room. The Collection: A Vision of the Future Namilia’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection was nothing short of a futuristic dream. The designs were a bold mix of high-tech fabrics and exaggerated silhouettes, each piece a testament to the brand's boundary-pushing ethos. Key Highlights: Tech-Infused Fabrics: Think biodegradable plastics, LED-embedded fabrics, and 3D-printed accessories. These elements highlighted the brand's commitment to sustainability and underscored the futuristic theme. Bold Silhouettes: Oversized shoulder pads, voluminous skirts, and sharply tailored suits dominated the runway. Each piece screamed empowerment and defiance, staying true to Namilia’s signature style. Symbolic Embellishments: Intricate embroidery and embellishments depicted feminist icons and slogans. From Frida Kahlo to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, these references were seamlessly woven into the garments, creating a powerful narrative of women's empowerment. Colour Palette: The collection’s colour scheme was a dynamic mix of metallics, neon hues, and classic monochromes. Silver and gold fabrics created a futuristic sheen, while vibrant reds and electric blues added a burst of energy. Accessories and Styling The accessories were just as striking as the clothing. Models wore oversized visors, holographic boots, and avant-garde jewellery that looked more like pieces of art. Hairstyles were slicked-back and edgy, with neon-coloured extensions, further emphasizing the futuristic aesthetic. Social Commentary Namilia is known for its strong social messages, and this collection was no exception. Multimedia presentations highlighted issues like gender equality, body positivity, and climate change. These powerful visuals reinforced the brand's dedication to using fashion as a platform for activism.

Yenesai’s latest collection emerges from the desert biome, presenting fresh challenges and innovative solutions. The collection emphasizes color theory, soft and silky fabrics, refined basics, and explorative accessories, all designed with the future nomad in mind. These garments respect the necessity for clothing that enables action and movement. As the nomad adapts to this new environment, they gather resources like crystals and essential oils. Yenesai introduces a new iteration of their classic canister bag in clear resin, showcasing these harvested materials. Advances in their 3D-printed accessories include the cyborg hand clasp and a streamlined version of their eyewear, available in new colors and with an improved design. The environment begins to influence the nomad, who either harmonizes with or is consumed by it. This relationship is illustrated through shiny, flecked fabrics, iridescent insert panels, and gemstone-inspired textures and color combinations. The show culminates in strong leather looks, highlighting qualities present throughout the collection: intricate and flattering paneling, armor-style layering, and strategically placed inserts for enhanced mobility. Brand bio: Yenesai combines a futuristic vision with ancestral nomadic values. The brand's name is inspired by the Yenesai River, one of the world's longest rivers and a lifeline for countless ancient nomadic cultures, including those of our founder's ancestors. Reflecting this heritage, Yenesai clothing is designed to support its wearer in any environment, from dense urban landscapes to desolate wilderness. Our designs feature technical fabrics and striking silhouettes, embodying luxury with a sharpened edge. Based in London, Yenesai serves a global community always on the move. Yenesai is more than a fashion brand; it's a community for like-minded travelers. We bring together creatives from various fields, fostering collaboration at our retreats in Ibiza and events in Tokyo. These gatherings push the boundaries of artistic expression and strengthen our creative family.