Passion for fashion combined with a commitment for conservation in a sustainable Fashion Frenzee show in London.
Stars from sport and design both took centre stage as London Fashion Week drew to a close.
Fashion enthusiasts and VIP guests included Lady Mayoress Florence King, Princess Katarina Lady de Silva, actor Ajay Chhabra and former French rugby captain Serge Betsen.
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Mrs Universe 2022 Juanita Brown Ingram took to the runway in the stunning classic art setting of the Guildhall Art Gallery.
The “pioneering” show championed “fashion, community, diversity, and emerging talent” and promoted responsible and sustainable couture.
The event was staged by Central London Alliance in partnership with Blue Orchid Hospitality Group and the City of London Corporation.
On the catwalk, former French rugby captain Serge Betsen, who was also in attendance, showcased his brand Le Ballon Responsable featuring garments and accessories crafted from used rugby balls.
Goff Courtney, headed up by Yvonne Goff Courtney, took to the stage with her gender-free, ageless, and inclusive fashion label, highlighting London’s “idiosyncratic style” through tailored scarves and utilitarian jackets.
Ms Goff Courtney’s “splice jacket” concept was previously published in Vogue and exhibited in Selfridges.
Diversity and culture were also celebrated. Atelier de Nalin Thakral paid tribute to the dying art of Zardosi embroidery, blending London and New Delhi heritage to create occasion wear from dead stock fabric.
Other emerging artists included London 3x3, Popspecs, Cheongsam Quotidien, and Sanya Casper Dutta.
Spectators also saw a curated collection of pre-loved clothing, including shoes, accessories, bags, and pieces by Victoria Beckham, Balmain, and Karen Millen. The items were all available for sale via a silent auction.
The charity partners for the show included Dress for Success, a London-based charity based which provides support, development tools, and professional attire to women, and Integrity International Trust, a charity that provides rehabilitation and disaster recovery to those most vulnerable.
Chairman of the Central London Alliance, Tony Matharu, said: “This conclusion of London Fashion Week was about more than fashion or the historic setting at Guildhall Art Gallery— it was about the story of London itself. Fashion Frenzee highlighted the city’s unique ability to host experiences and events that resonate across the broadest spectrum of people: including from fashion journalists and artists to students, city elders and those in media, banking, and hospitality.
“This reflects the diversity of London and the complex network of connections that bind our city together.Central London Alliance’s Fashion Frenzee demonstrated how cultural initiatives can strengthen our position as a world-leading city, celebrating creativity, innovation and community while strengthening London’s position in the world. The diversity of London’s talent, and the complex networks that connect us, are what make London truly distinctive.”
He added that the event was an example of consumer campaigning to put a spotlight on the activities that get people back into the capital’s square mile after Covid-19 and the work from home phenomenon.
“Life is changing and we need to make this city a destination for a broader range of activities for a bigger demographic for things like fashion, sport, media, and technology,” he said.
Lady Mayoress of the City of London, Florence King, said:“It was thrilling to watch the City of London Corporation’s beautiful Guildhall Art Gallery transform itself into a backdrop and stage to enable emerging and established designers to show off their incredible work, as well as promote ‘pre-loved’ clothing. For its part, Fashion Frenzee deserves praise for celebrating fashion, community, and diversity, while also championing responsibility and sustainability. This wonderful and very well-attended event provided a dynamic finale to the fashion calendar.”
Nadia Perrier, director of Central London Alliance and curator of Fashion Frenzee, added: “Fashion Frenzee was designed to shine a light on the creativity and diversity that make London such a global capital of style, while championing responsibility in how we create and consume fashion. I’m proud that together with our brands and partners, we’ve made fashion not just stylish, but purposeful.
“The fashion and textiles industry is a phenomenal sector; contributing ¼ million jobs in London alone and £62 billion to the UK’s GDP. But, globally, around 100 billion new garments are produced each year with an estimated 92 million tonnes of textile waste generated - that’s equivalent to enough clothes to fill Wembley Stadium in under a day.
“It is our job to support this sector in looking after our planet whilst continuing its vital contribution to London and the UK’s economy. Together, we have the power to change things for the better.
“Fashion Frenzee is more than a finale to London Fashion Week – it is a call to action, proving that innovation and purpose can go hand in hand.”
