London Fashion Week has officially ended its Fall/Winter 2026 edition and the opinions from industry insiders continue to pour in. According to Simon Longland, fashion buying director at British department store Harrods, London resisted “reducing itself to a single trend” this season.
“The breadth and diversity of the brands shown make it difficult – and probably unnecessary – to define a consistent direction,” he said after the end of the season. “It is precisely this plurality that gives London its special energy and enduring relevance among the four major fashion weeks.”
Although Longland couldn’t name an overarching trend, he did name his favorite collections. These included those from Burberry, Emilia Wickstead, Patrick McDowell and Joseph.
Erdem, celebrating its 20th anniversary, was also among Longland’s top collections. Longland further explained that the show best captured the spirit of the times. It was “both a celebration of heritage and a clear statement of continued relevance.”
Longland didn’t want to reveal the standout emerging brands so as not to give too much away. However, he confirmed there were a number of newer names that would suit Harrods’ direction. The retailer therefore plans to add these new faces to its range “in due course”.
When asked what change was noticeable this season, Longland said: “While London retains its energy, there is a noticeable shift in focus towards craft, quality and ultimately wearability. The most compelling collections are those that balance creativity with purpose and longevity.”
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