A glamorous weekend in London has seen the city’s traditionally menswear-focused, June fashion week return to new glory, as it shifted in format towards talks and exhibitions supported by 1664 Blanc — and was backed by a host of A-listers. 

The (officially titled) London Fashion Week in celebration of British Menswear was opened with a breakfast at the ICA by none other than David Beckham (and a joke about the uncool suit he chose to wear).

“It never fails to amaze me just how incredible the talent in London is, and how lucky we are to have access to such a diverse mix of fashion businesses – from Savile Row tailors to sportswear, British fashion continues to influence and have an impact worldwide,” he continued. 

This opened the balcony windows for a flurry of community-based events (Sunday roasts! Fashion quizzes! 5K runs!), talks (from discussions on performative activism to a reading from the Standard’s editor Dylan Jones’ new memoir) and, of course, fashion shows (Beth Ditto performing at Somerset House, anyone?) took over town. 

HARRI was the breakout star

HARRI, the label best known its inflatable, latex creations – one of which was famously worn by Sam Smith for the Brits last year — entered “chapter 4” of it’s brand history on Saturday morning, with an almighty performance at the Benjamin West Lecture Theatre in the Royal Academy of Arts. Filling the church-like lecture hall, Eurovision winner Nemo belted Switzerland’s hit tune The Code as a white, latex monster-of-a-gown blew up like a marshmallow. “This showcase took 6 pairs of hands, 300 seams and over 300 hours to produce, from conception to completion,” the designer, whose full name is Harikrishnan Keezhathil Surendran Pillai, said. As per Dash Hudson, Harri won the week by way of stats, topping the brands with the highest Instagram engagement and highest Instagram follower growth. Whoa-oh-oh, etc.