London Fashion Week honored Paul Costelloe’s legacy while spotlighting emerging talent and royal connections.

London Fashion Week opened with a tribute to Paul Costelloe, the late Irish-American designer who died in November 2025 at 80, marking his lasting impact since the event’s 1984 launch. His son, William Costelloe, now leads the brand and presented the Autumn/Winter 2026 collection as a tribute to his father’s legacy. The week highlighted emerging designers like British-Nigerian Tolu Coker and 27-year-old British-Ghanaian Joshua Ewusie, supported by the King’s Foundation and Chanel, whose 1980s-inspired collection explores identity. While Jonathan Anderson is absent due to his role at Dior, brands linked to Princess Catherine, including Emilia Wickstead and Erdem, added royal prominence. London remains a key platform for new talent through initiatives like the British Fashion Council’s NewGen program, with designers such as Simone Rocha and Pauline Dujancourt citing the city’s openness to innovation.