The Collagerie LFW Diary

The Shows We Loved

Lucinda Chambers

The Toga collection completely captivated me – it had that rare quality of making you want to rush home and re-style yourself immediately. Effortless but directional, it felt both wearable and inspiring. I always love Erdem for its poetic beauty – romantic, intricate and emotionally resonant – and Simone Rocha struck that perfect balance between modern sportswear and heirloom-worthy pieces; clothes that feel entirely of the moment yet destined to last forever.

Serena Hood

It’s very hard to choose. Burberry was a definite highlight – I loved how Daniel Lee reimagined classic outerwear, really elevating its mood and making it feeling modern and new (I guarantee you’ll want it all). From raw-edged shearling coats to a romantic take on the trench with a dramatic ruffled collar, it’s already got me yearning to fast-forward into AW26!

The Must-Have Kit We Carry

Lucinda

My Smythson notebook comes everywhere with me during LFW – it’s where ideas, impressions and to-do lists all collide. I always pop my Tom Ford sunglasses into my bag, to shield me from surprise sunshine and disguise signs of fatigue. Then I’ll add my signature Ffern scent for a subtle refresh, Sisley lipstick in my new favourite shade (Phyto-Rouge Velvet No.12, Beige Crush) for polish on the go. Finally, of course, I carry my phone to capture key moments along the way.

Serena

Just like Lucinda, my iPhone always goes straight into my handbag – an indispensable tool for capturing on-the-go content for Collagerie. Beauty-wise, there’s my Tymo cordless hairbrush (a hero piece that smooths and straightens in seconds, especially after a dash through London rain) and Hourglass Phantom Glossy Balm for effortless touch-ups. Before heading out of the door, I grab my favourite YSL sunglasses and a trusty pack of Smints, and I’m good to go.

The Art of Arriving In Style

Lucinda

During Fashion Week, London moves at its own pace, and navigating it seamlessly is half the hard work. Our go-to stylish solution? Blacklane. Exceptionally chic and impeccably punctual, these chauffeur-driven cars transform the dash between venues into a moment of quiet composure. There’s something deeply luxurious about stepping out of a show – street style frenzy in full swing – and slipping into a serene car; a place where you can catch up on emails, scroll through show images, or simply take a moment to relax before the frenzy begins again. The elegant way to travel suited to this style-focused moment, Blacklane is the Fashion Week secret weapon we couldn't survive without.

The LFW Lunch Spot

Lucinda

In a perfect Fashion Week world, I would enjoy a long, unhurried lunch somewhere chic and discreet – Mount St. Restaurant, perhaps – where you can properly debrief between courses. However, the rhythm of the week rarely allows for such indulgence. More often than not lunch is swift wrap or a salad eaten en route to the next show, balancing practicality with just a touch of pleasure.

Serena

I would love to say The Dover – with its polished interiors and mouth-watering menu, it feels like the ideal London Fashion Week power-lunch destination. In reality, though, our packed schedule makes lingering over a long meal a virtual impossibility. Between runway shows in obscure destinations, essential designer appointments and mad dashes from one side of the city to the other, we usually rely on grabbing something on the go from Prêt-A-Manger.

The Between-Shows Boost

Serena

Fashion Week runs on adrenaline… and, more often than not, on smoothies. Our essential uplift? A stop at Elevate for a liquid refuel and a moment to catch our breath. Elevate’s smoothies are the kind that genuinely revive you – tasty and nutrient-packed yet somehow indulgent at the same time, they’re absolute heaven and the perfect antidote to back-to-back shows and gridlocked London traffic. Whether we’re sipping on something green and virtuous or berry-rich and restorative, our smoothie time-outs have become a ritual: ten minutes of deliciousness that allow us to rehydrate, regroup and compare notes before the next runway call time.

Post-Show Cocktails & Dinner Destinations

Lucinda

A cocktail at the Fumoir Bar at Claridge’s is always hard to resist – the space is intimate, atmospheric and wonderfully removed from the frenzy outside. For dinner, I inevitably drift westwards, towards home, often stopping at Dove – Jackson Boxer’s brilliant Notting Hill restaurant. It strikes the perfect balance: lively yet relaxed, while the food is restorative and delicious – exactly what you crave at the close of a long Fashion Week day.

Serena

When the last show of the day finishes, I make for The Beaumont. It’s my Fashion Week constant – a martini at the bar, a table for dinner, a moment to reset. The food refined, precise, delicious; the atmosphere grown-up, unshowy and effortless – just what I adore after a day on the go. And then there are the rooms: beautifully designed and quietly elegant, if I wasn’t in the city I call home, this is where I’d lay my head, without question.

Final Thoughts from the Front Row

Lucinda

London felt especially dynamic this season – designers explored inventive formats, from the evocative tableau presentation at Completedworks to more immersive, intimate settings. There was a palpable shift in energy: creativity anchored by a sharp sense of commercial awareness. It’s an exciting evolution, delivering fashion that inspires but also understands the needs of a modern woman’s wardrobe.

Serena

What I love most about LFW is seeing bold, boundary-pushing designs showcased in a city layered with centuries of culture and style. It inspires newcomers and established talent alike to embrace the new while honouring ideas from the past, making every moment feel both timeless and completely fresh.