Designer of year Jonathan Anderson to skip next London Fashion Week, official calendar reveals (#1686636)

Two weeks after winning his second prize as Designer Of The Year in the annual British Fashion Awards, it has emerged that Jonathon Anderson seems unlikely to stage a runway show in London Fashion Week in February.
 
Anderson is the largest single absence from the official LFW schedule issued on Monday by the British Fashion Council. The news follows a week after the Camera della Moda revealed that he will also not stage a signature JW Anderson menswear collection in Milan in January, where he has staged men’s runway shows for the last several years.

It remains to be seen where Anderson will stage either his menswear or womenswear shows in the next three months. Given that Anderson is partnered by the giant French luxury conglomerate LVMH, the destination may in part be Paris.
 
The news will also spark fresh speculation that Anderson may be about to take on a new position. As one of the most talented youngish designers of his generation, Anderson’s name has been bandied about as a plausible candidate to take over the creative direction of such mega house as Dior and Gucci. The house of JW Anderson has been contacted for comment.

The BFC added that the house of Anderson “may join for the final schedule, but for now they are not confirmed.”

In related news, Loewe – the LVMH-owned Spanish brand Anderson has helmed for the past a decade – has decided to not stage a menswear show in Paris in January. It will instead stage a co-ed show in March in the French capital.
 
Back in the UK, LFW will welcome two new debutants on its February show calendar – Jamaican artists designer Jawara Alleyne and Georgian-born design label Keburia. The next edition of LFW is scheduled to run from the evening of Thursday, February 20, to Monday, February 24.
 
“LFW celebrates London’s positioning as a world-renowned cultural capital and creative incubator for emerging talent. This season LFW will focus on shaping the future of British fashion while celebrating the city’s thriving independent designers, creative talent and businesses,” the BFC said in a release
 
Elsewhere, all the major UK-based names are staying put, with Harris Reed opening the action on Thursday night, and Burberry closing the shows on Monday evening. Inbetween, the season will boast shows by Simone Rocha – recently named British Womenswear Designer – Erdem, Roksanda, Paul Costelloe, Kent & Curwen and Richard Quinn. Alongside exciting local labels like Abigail, Ajobi, Conner Ives, Denzilpatrick, Dilara Fındıkoğlu, Mithridate and Srvc.
 
The London season continues to be a blend a mix of physical and digital shows, with new designers on the digital schedule including Demon Zhang, Hēracha, Pindiga, Ranjith Kumar, Sung Ju and Tursi.
 
The BFC Newgen Show Space will be held at 180 The Strand and will showcase designers Ancuta Sarca, Charlie Constantinou, Chet Lo, DI PETSA, Johanna Parv, Kazna Asker, Lueder, Pauline Dujancourt, Sinéad O’Dwyer and Yaku.
 
LFW is also planning a City Wide Celebration (CWC), a curated program of unique experiences and activations open to the public throughout February, aided by significant support by brand names sponsors and supporters like 1664 Blanc, Alo, Dylon and Toni&Guy.