London Fashion Week’s (few) IRL shows are still on – despite Boris Johnson announcing this week that gatherings of more than six people are banned, starting Monday. LFW is currently set to run between September 17 – 22, with most brands opting for digital presentations. Per the New York Times’ impressive fashion week breakdown, “there will be 50 digital-only activations, 21 physical and digital presentations, and 10 physical shows or events.”
Those currently down to have physical events include Victoria Beckham and Molly Goddard, who will have salon presentations, Paria Farzaneh, who promises an ‘experience’, and Bethany Williams, who is having an exhibition. Only a few designers, including Mark Fast, seem to be having catwalk shows.
In a statement, the British Fashion Council said that: “In line with the Prime Minister’s announcement that COVID secure venues can continue to hold more than 6 people in total, the British Fashion Council can confirm that the limited number of physical shows and appointments for London Fashion Week are still due to go ahead. We are working closely with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the further implications of the new cap of 6 on social groups, and will share further details in due course.”
As for what counts as a Covid-secure venue, we have asked the BFC to clarify.
Johnson’s announcement to the change in policy came after the U.K. saw rises in its number of Covid-cases, which this week reached just under 3000 a day. Meanwhile, the country’s testing system has struggled to respond to demand. You can read the new guidelines on gathering here. Note there are some exceptions to the six people rule, including work and school.