Scene setting: A sumptuous stately home facade greeted guests as they entered Quinn’s enormous show space in South London. Columns, cornices and balconies were painted in a creamy grey, and populated trellises of flowers. In recent seasons, the London-based designer’s show concepts have reflected the gargantuan glamour that his designs evoke — last season Quinn’s S/S 2020 show showcased a performance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and featured a tableau of debut bridal designs. As the show began, the walls of the mansion backdrop opened to reveal a live pianist and musician Hannah Grace, whose performance included a rendition of Abba’s Dancing Queen.
Mood board: A series of astonishingly bejeweled looks opened the show, riffing on the embellished outfits of Pearly Kings and Queens (a jacket was humorously emblazoned in Swarovksi crystals with the slogan ‘God Save the Quinn!’ There was also a more anarchic edge to proceedings than in past seasons, with Quinn’s signature face covering balaclavas reimagined in spiked gimp masks or beaded chainmail. Escapist eveningwear was high on the agenda (a contrast to the sensible clothing needed to arm against Storm Denis outside), with a resplendent role call of dresses in puff ball and prom queen and pannier shapes or tumbling ruffled gowns, in acid tone satins, with leg of mutton sleeves, bow and rose embellishments, polka dots and floral prints.
Finishing touches: Just hours after Molly Goddard showcased her menswear offering (and Rejina Pyo debuted sophomore menswear looks), Quinn debuted a show stopping selection of men’s looks, including beaded rose breastplates and ostrich feather vests paired with fit and flare trousers. Just like Quinn’s womenswear, it’s not fashion for the faint of heart.
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Aesthetics and acoustics come together in the Braque speakers from Nocs DesignThe Braque speakers bring the art of noise, sitting atop a brushed steel cube that wouldn’t look out of place in a contemporary gallery
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Inside the seductive and mischievous relationship between Paul Thek and Peter HujarUntil now, little has been known about the deep friendship between artist Thek and photographer Hujar, something set to change with the release of their previously unpublished letters and photographs
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In addition to brutalist buildings, Alison Smithson designed some of the most creative Christmas cards we've seenThe architect’s collection of season’s greetings is on show at the Roca London Gallery, just in time for the holidays
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‘Architect of glamour’ Antony Price makes a high-voltage return to the runway with 16ArlingtonFeaturing a runway debut from Lily Allen, the show saw legendary designer Antony Price – best known for outfitting Roxy Music in the 1980s – unite with 16Arlington’s Marco Capaldo on the sensual after-dark collection
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‘Dirty Looks’ at the Barbican explores how fashion designers have found beauty in dirt and decayFrom garments buried in River Thames mud to those torn, creased and stained, ‘Dirty Looks’ is a testament to how ‘creativity and new artistic practices can come out of decay’, its curators tell Dal Chodha
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Tyler Mitchell’s London show explores the figure of the Black Dandy, ‘imagining what else masculinity could look like’Originally part of a visual essay to accompany the Met’s ‘Superfine’ 2025 Costume Institute exhibition, ‘Portrait of the Modern Dandy’ goes on display at Gagosian Burlington Arcade in London this week
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Inside Louis Vuitton’s Murakami London pop-up, a colourful cartoon wonderland with one-of-a-kind caféWallpaper* takes a tour of the Louis Vuitton x Murakami pop-up in London’s Soho, which celebrates the launch of a new ‘re-edition’ accessories collection spanning the greatest hits from the Japanese artist’s long-running collaboration with the house
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Get to know Issey Miyake’s innovative A-POC ABLE line as it arrives in the UKAs A-POC ABLE Issey Miyake launches in London this week, designer Yoshiyuki Miyamae gives Wallpaper* the lowdown on the experimental Issey Miyake offshoot
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Margaret Howell London Fashion Week Women's S/S 2019 -
London Fashion Week S/S 2023: Ahluwalia to Martine RoseThough slimmed-down, London Fashion Week nonetheless provided the moments of creative expression the city is known for – from Ahluwalia’s ode to Africa to Martine Rose’s much-anticipated runway return
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Discover these fashion brands at London Craft WeekDuring London Craft Week, fashion brands including Smythson, Bally and Serapian are hosting events across the capital
