London Fashion Week Debut | Day 1
From Thursday 20 February to Sunday 23 February 2025, I travelled to London to attend London Fashion Week. This marked my first experience within the British fashion industry, and I approached the opportunity with a sense of both excitement and uncertainty. Coming from Birmingham, with limited industry connections and no formal role or established name within fashion, I was unsure how I would be perceived or what to expect from the experience.
My first event was The Innov-art Show London Fashion Week Launch Party, held at Gallery@Oxo in London. The event was created to support and showcase emerging artists from around the world. One artist whose work particularly stood out to me was Amsterdam-based designer Emma van Engelen, founder of the brand Bhumi. Upon arrival, Emma was positioned at the centre of the space, conducting a live demonstration of her creative process by constructing her signature 3D Siren Bag. Alongside the bags, she also presented a range of 3D rings and ear cuffs, offering insight into the technical and conceptual elements of her work.
Later in the evening, I had the opportunity to speak with Emma about her brand and practice. One aspect of Bhumi that resonated strongly with me was its commitment to inclusivity, this brand has a strong focus on designing for plus-size women. I believe inclusivity is essential within the fashion industry, and it is important to create space for representation wherever possible.
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Overall, the evening served as a positive introduction to London Fashion Week. It provided valuable exposure to emerging designers and brands and allowed me to begin building connections within the industry, making it a strong and encouraging first experience.
