There were many surprises on and off the catwalks.

The world of luxury fashion knew no bounds during London Fashion Week.

This season highlighted top designers, as usual.

Here’s what you might have missed…

Burberry paid tribute to Amy Winehouse.

During the 2024 autumn/winter Burberry show, the heritage brand paid tribute to the late Amy Winehouse.

The event ended with Back to Black playing as legacy models walked the runway for the last time.

The show was at Victoria Park. Lee Daniels is the brand’s creative director. It was their third collection. Riccardo Tisci was the previous creative director. The show took place in a large marquee.

Other sports, fashion, and entertainment stars attended, including Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, British screen star Olivia Colman, and British-Nigerian rapper Skepta.

Zendaya wore a new 16Arlington dress.

While promoting her latest film, Dune: Part Two, as LFW kicked off, Zendaya wore a dress straight from the latest 16Arlington autumn/winter collection called ‘I’m Not Sorry, It’s Human Nature.’

Styled by long-term stylist Law Roach, the dress was a strapless maxi gown that featured fringed beaded tassels and large sequins. She wore it with her hair pulled back into a bun.

The 16Arlington show took place at the Barbican Centre, which was transformed and draped in black cloth that mirrored the gothic chic aesthetic of the show. Models emerged wearing a racer neck silver tassel dress, super long black tailored coat, and a hot pink jumper with a dog motif, inspired by curator Charlie Fox’s book, The Young Monster.

It made the 30-year-old London-born Marco Capaldo – the man behind the brand – think more deeply about what it means to be a freak, horror, and the human psyche. Additionally, he believed it was better for people to express themselves rather than suppress their feelings, thoughts, and emotions.

Nicola Coughlan, stunned at Erdem.

Bridgerton and Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan attended Erdem wearing a showstopper gown. The 37-year-old actor chose a red ruched cherry red dress with a deep V and oversized, off-the-shoulder sleeves – topped off with matching gloves.

It was a star-studded line-up, with actors Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, Zawe Ashton, and Lily James sitting alongside her.

The autumn/winter collection models, including draped asymmetric dresses and asymmetric opera wraps, walked down the runway. Some featured ‘facelift tapes’ pulling against their temples.

Simone Rocha models walked in bedazzled Crocs.

The Irish designer unveiled her latest collaboration with Crocs at Simone Rocha’s show.

Models wore tulle and corset dresses with bedazzled Crocs and trainers adorned with faux diamonds and pearls.

Quiet luxury at JW Anderson

Northern Irish designer JW Anderson showed that the quiet luxury trend is still alive and kicking with his autumn/winter 2024 collection.

Anderson is Loewe’s creative director—his eponymous brand experiments with traditional silhouettes and forms.

The collection featured luxurious knitwear, chic bags, and accessories – all signature to JW Anderson.

Plenty of stars were on the front row – including Jameela Jamil, fresh off her appearance on the latest British Vogue cover, artist Tracey Emin, and actress Ruth Wilson.

Balenciaga and Dior gowns inspired Molly Goddard.

On day two of LFW, Molly Goddard shared her 2024 autumn/winter collection near an English folk music venue, Cecil Sharp House, near Regent’s Park.

The British fashion designer was inspired by voluminous Balenciaga and Dior evening gowns from the 60s. Furthermore, it is worth noting that she gave a modern touch to traditional garments. However, she deliberately avoided featuring the common tight corsets worn during that era.

Goddard made corsets comfortable by using elastic waists instead of metal boning.

In addition, it’s interesting to note that the show was graced by the presence of actor Rosamund Pike, who recently starred in Saltburn. She was seen seated next to model Edie Campbell, adding to the overall elegance of the occasion.

She braved the cold and wore a black mini-dress hemmed with large white frills. Pike finished the look by throwing on a black blazer, Mary Roger Vivier court shoes, and Malone Souliers’ handbag.

A mural inspired by Roksanda

Serbian designer Roksanda Ilinčić’s autumn/winter 2024 collection was all about extreme experimentation after visiting the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier’s 12-square-foot holiday cabin on the Côte d’Azur in France.

She was inspired by the murals painted on his entrance walls and experimented with texture. Models walked down the runway in ankle-length skirts, sleeveless tops, and capes. Evidence of this is seen.

Bridgeton’s Golda Rosheuvel sat next to Roach, singer-songwriter Lianne La Havas, TV presenter Miquita Oliver, rapper Eve, and model and founder of charity Malaika at the show.

The actress wore a red oversized poncho top, silver-grey culotte trousers, and black chunky boots. She wore a high bun and side bangs. Roach had a black coat with a red design.

Puffy sleeves will be huge.

Voluminous silhouettes – particularly sleeves and shoulders – were everywhere at London Fashion Week, from Irish designers Paul Costelloe and Simone Rocha to Bora Aksu – whose AW24 collection was inspired by sculptor Eva Hesse.

Plus-size models walk the Ahluwalia show.

Ahluwalia’s ‘Reveries’ collection reimagined storytelling. Model Leomie Anderson wore a burnt orange silk outfit. Additionally, it’s worth noting that two plus-sized models also graced the runway. It was presented on Saturday for autumn/winter 2024.

One also wore a burnt orange two-piece with a hooded bustier and high-slit maxi skirt. All garments were dedicated to exchanging wisdom, usually found in the “old Indian and Nigerian folklore and fairytales.”

By Yolanthe Fawehinmi, PA