Wearable Art, Self Expression, Empowerment and Gender Exploration Define London Fashion Week SS25
Oxford Fashion Studio’s London Fashion Week shows featured a cultural crossroads of 13 designers from across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
London, UK (17th September, 2024) – Oxford Fashion Studio launched 13 collections by designers from nine countries at Devonshire Square on Saturday 14th September during London Fashion Week complete with free flowing Cupiolo Prosecco Rosé. The shows were followed by an exclusive post-show party at Upstairs at Langan’s, a private members club on Stratton Street in Mayfair, to celebrate 40 years of London Fashion Week with a reception featuring Brockmans gin.
“There are strong themes of self expression, empowerment and storytelling radiating from the designers on the schedule this season, which is interesting given that they come from all across the world. This global appeal positions the shows as a creative crossroads and continues to underline London’s position as the best place in the world for exceptional design talent” – Tiffany Anglim, Runway Director, Oxford Fashion Studio.
Tokyo Twiggy opened the 4pm show with inspiration from the timeless beauty and fragility of Japanese blue porcelain, NH AlRabiah opened the 6pm show by inviting the audience to lose themselves in an enchanting garden while Luisa at La Luna closed the season by converging the myth of Icarus with inspiration from German artist Rebecca Horn’s Female Study.
Gold Dust by Kiki Benjamin from Nigeria opened the 2pm show drawing on celestial motifs, a theme also providing inspiration to Zasta Studio located 7,862 miles away in San Francisco with their Celestials collection closing out the same show.
Self-liberation, self expression and internal struggles are recurring themes this season. SilentSiren’s SS25 collection is a vibrant tribute to female empowerment while Roze 2.11 explores the darker side of stagnation and that aching need to make a change. Covered in Cat Hair from New York explores the internal struggle of creativity while Mantle 2020 from Glasgow blurs the lines between masculine and feminine silhouettes and shapes. Both Cavallo and Co’s hats from Canada and Naibbi’s jewellery from Turkey invite the wearer to channel, own and express their own story.
This season saw NH AlRabiah from Kuwait, SilentSiren With Bridals from Hong Kong, Tokyo Twiggy Textiles and Renee Cafaro Atelier both from the USA all return to London with Oxford Fashion Studio alongside nine brands showing in the city for the first time.
For SS25 Oxford Fashion Studio supported 13 brands from across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East including from the UK, USA, Belgium, Turkey, USA, Canada, Nigeria, Kuwait, Hong Kong and India. All 14 brands launched their collections at Devonshire Square on Saturday 14th September 2024 during London Fashion Week. Oxford Fashion Studio’s next season, scheduled for Saturday 20th September 2025, will mark 10 years of shows during London Fashion Week.
Oxford Fashion Studio: London Fashion Week SS25 Designer Catwalk Shows:
Sashes by Kiki Benjamin presents ‘Gold Dust’ at Oxford Fashion Studio during London Fashion Week.
Sashes by KikiBenjamin, founded in 2010 by Creative Director Kiki Benjamin, is a fashion and lifestyle brand based in Abuja, Nigeria. The brand creates ready-to-wear collections, luxury accessories and bespoke made-to-measure creations. Sashes by KikiBenjamin is a celebration of femininity, empowerment and timeless glamour. The Gold Dust collection by Sashes by KikiBenjamin draws on celestial motifs and ethereal textures. Each piece in the “Gold Dust” collection embodies a celestial aura with shimmering fabrics, intricate embellishments and luxurious detailing.
Naibbi presents ‘More Than That’ at Oxford Fashion Studio during London Fashion Week.
Naibbi is a luxury jewellery brand that brings sophistication and elegance from the heart of Istanbul to the world. Each piece blends traditional and modern design elements resulting in an original signature style. Naibbi prioritises quality and grace, delivering a jewellery experience that makes you feel special every moment. The More Than That collection invites you on a journey where elegance and meaning converge, where each piece is not just an accessory, but a story. These jewellery pieces are not just adornments; they are symbols that reflect your individuality and inner strength. Each piece offers you the opportunity to tell your own story and share a part of yourself with the world. “More Than That” combines the hidden depth within simplicity with refined details and elegant designs.
Renee Cafaro Atelier presents ‘Transatlantic’ at Oxford Fashion Studio during London Fashion Week.
Renee Cafaro Atelier is a haute couture design house from New York City. The atelier creates lavish and unique couture exclusively for curves. Each piece is handcrafted ethically and locally as a commitment to fair wages and job creation in NYC’s Garment District. The Transatlantic collection is named after the transatlantic accent made popular by classic stars of the silver screen and all that entails. It’s a journey through the glamour of travel from a bygone era to the opulent hallmarks of high society. Aristocracy: through a modern lens.
Zasta Studio presents ‘Celestials’ at Oxford Fashion Studio during London Fashion Week.
Zasta Studio embodies luxury sustainability by integrating a ‘rediscover, recycle, restore’ philosophy. Through meticulous craftsmanship, it transforms reclaimed materials into high-end fashion pieces, marrying opulence with eco-consciousness. Setting a new standard for ethical luxury, Zasta Studio’s dedication to innovation and environmental responsibility defines its prominence in the sustainable fashion landscape. Zasta Studio’s Celestials collection showcases a visionary fusion of fashion and the cosmos. Inspired by the universe’s boundless wonders, each garment reflects celestial motifs and cosmic hues. With meticulous craftsmanship, Zasta Studio crafts unique pieces that invite wearers to embark on a sartorial journey beyond the stars.
Tokyo Twiggy Textiles presents ‘Elegance in Fragility’ at Oxford Fashion Studio during London Fashion Week.
Tokyo Twiggy Textiles is founded on a passion for Japanese aesthetics and a deep appreciation for the intricate dance between beauty and imperfection. Blending tradition with modern sensibilities to craft textiles that tell a story. Each collection is defined by nuanced patterns, delicate textures, and rich, evocative colours. Elegance in Fragility celebrates the timeless beauty of Japanese blue porcelain, where elegance meets imperfection. The collection embodies the delicate balance between fragility and strength, inspired by the rich tradition and artistry of Japan’s porcelain masters. The blue porcelain textiles capture the melancholy of transient beauty and the profound grace found in life’s imperfections.
Mantle 2020 presents ‘Ingram’ at Oxford Fashion Studio during London Fashion Week.
After 4 years of planning, Mantle 2020 is finally here. Each collection is designed as capsule wardrobes, to be worn together, while always paying tribute to previous collections. Designed with quiet luxury in mind, bringing the ultimate fit, drape and materials. Every stitch and placement considered. These timeless pieces are designed to last a lifetime. Designed and planned on Ingram Street, Glasgow, Ingram looks to blur the lines between masculine and feminine silhouettes and shapes. A luxurious blend of materials and intricate details in each piece, create the quiet luxury that Mantle 2020 is renowned for.
Covered in Cat Hair presents ‘For Francesca’ at Oxford Fashion Studio during London Fashion Week.
Covered in Cat Hair was born at the crossroads of ready to wear and intimate apparel design amidst the body positivity movement that has finally made its way into the fashion space. The brand stands firmly on uplifting and promoting the beauty of the feminine energy that every person has within them regardless of gender or sexual identity. The unusual name is a playful poke at the “Crazy Cat Lady” trope that historically ostracises single, independent assigned female at birth (afab) women. The For Francesca collection was inspired by the artist Francesca Woodman whose hauntingly beautiful nude self portraits & photography in the 1970’s became posthumously famous years after her death by suicide. This is not only “For Francesca” but a love letter to every artist that understands the internal struggle of being a creative.
She Shea Bespoke Fashion Studio presents ‘SS25’ at Oxford Fashion Studio during London Fashion Week.
NH AlRabiah presents ‘Secret Garden’ at Oxford Fashion Studio during London Fashion Week.
NH ALRABIAH is a Kuwait based fashion house featuring an all female team founded in 2022 by two sisters, Nora and Haya AlRabiah, with a dream to introduce a Kuwaiti fashion brand to the world. The team is driven by artistry and individuality with a fervent commitment to diversity, equality and empowering women. Inspired by the serene beauty of lush gardens and the timeless allure of fairy tales, Secret Garden weaves the wonder of flowers into every stitch.
Each piece is a tribute to the captivating world of tales, embodying a sense of wonder and grandeur. Inspired by lush gardens and dazzling fairy tale castles, this line features luxurious fabrics and enchanting designs that capture the wonder of flowers and magical realms.
Cavallo & Co presents ‘Helm Series’ at Oxford Fashion Studio during London Fashion Week.
Michael, a guitarist for the Billboard Charting and Juno Award winning group Manic Drive, fell in love with southern and wild western culture fused with edgy rock n roll style. Touring through Nashville, San Antonio, New Orleans and beyond Michael discovered artists from a wide range of musical styles and cultures defining themselves with exotic hats.
Cavallo & Co carefully craft hats with each element chosen to unlock the story of the wearer. To share and become part of their journey. Each one customised and engraved to reflect the wearer. Formed by hand using exceptional quality felt shaped and moulded with steam, iron and fire. Each one different and unique sewn with a collection of trinkets and treasures not easily attained.
SilentSiren. With Bridals presents ‘Śveta’ at Oxford Fashion Studio during London Fashion Week.
Timeless elegance is the essence of SilentSiren, inspired by the glamorous 1950s to 1970s. We draw from the graceful lines of vintage fashion and nostalgic cinema, from Old Hollywood’s splendour to Hong Kong’s cinematic charm. Each bridal gown is a unique, handcrafted piece by skilled Hong Kong tailors, offering an alternative to commercial designs.
SilentSiren’s SS25 collection, 《Śveta》 is a vibrant tribute to female empowerment, blending renaissance elegance with the revolutionary spirit of the 1970s. This collection captures a powerful narrative of self-liberation and feminism, juxtaposing historical sophistication with bold, contemporary designs.《Śveta》 resonates deeply with the audience, striking a chord with its rhythmic blend of past and present, and makes a timeless statement of confidence and independence for today’s woman.
Roze 2.11 presents ‘Disquiet’ at Oxford Fashion Studio during London Fashion Week.
ROZE 2.11 is an Indian fashion house that puts self-expression centre stage with existential themes and subversion of the status quo. Creative Director Saveri, a graduate of Istituto Marangoni in Milan, founded the label in 2023 to diverge from traditional tailoring and draping by building on a strong foundation of complex construction, deconstruction and reconstruction.
Roze 2.11 creates small collections with a focus on durability and environmental sustainability. Garments are designed to be statement pieces and long term wardrobe companions. DISQUIET explores the psyche of stagnation. As day turns into night and they endlessly repeat merging into each other. That feeling of uneasiness from languishing in the doldrums for too long. The struggle to move on to the next episode. The want to risk it all just to get away from smothering stagnation.
Luisa et La Luna presents ‘Icarus Metamorphosis’ at Oxford Fashion Studio during London Fashion Week.
Luisa et La Luna is a New York based fashion label that speaks to the soul of the contemporary woman. The brand represents a serendipitous convergence of art and fashion, where the feminine and the gamine collide with grace. The Icarus Metamorphosis collection emerges from the convergence of two dynamic ideas.
The first is the myth of Icarus, whose ambition to soar skyward led him perilously close to the sun before his fall. This ancient narrative serves as a poignant metaphor for the journey of womanhood, reflecting the trials and triumphs inherent in the pursuit of one’s aspirations. The second takes inspiration from German artist Rebecca Horn’s Female Study. The bodily extensions, chimaeras and surrealistic automatons of Horn’s 1970s visionary work and her multiple installation performances such as ‘La Danse Prissionaire & Body Extensions’.
