Record Figures for London Fashion Week
29 July 2007
Record Figures for London Fashion Week.
London Fashion Week February 2007 demonstrated once again that London is one of the world's most vibrant and creative capitals, as it celebrates the largest ever attendance of UK buyers, international press and photographers and broadcast crews. With editorial media coverage worth £24 million, orders worth £40 million and business for London worth over £100 million London Fashion Week proves it is good for designers, good for fashion and good for London.
The 49 designers on the catwalk, and 200 designers in the exhibition attracted over 400 photographers and broadcast crews being commissioned and accredited to cover the event. To date, London Fashion Week February 2007 has generated £24 million of editorial print media in the UK alone, 70% of which is dedicated fashion coverage.
UK buyers visiting The Exhibition @ London Fashion Week increased by 20% and international press by 10% on comparative figures for London Fashion Week September 2006. Orders generated at London Fashion Week each season are estimated to be in the region of £40 million.
New initiatives to increase international visitors to London Fashion Week included the inaugural London Preview in WWD, the „Letter from London‟ – a fun, upbeat and attractive mail shot to international VIP press and buyers, and the international guest programme saw Marc by Marc Jacobs close the week, to tie in with the opening of the first UK Marc Jacobs store on Mount Street W1. This, combined with increased financial support, through the British Fashion Council initiatives New Generation and Fashion Forward, allowed even more young talented designers to show in London alongside our established iconic designers such as Paul Smith, Jasper Conran and Betty Jackson, culminating in one of the strongest weeks of British Fashion seen for some time.
It is estimated that London Fashion Week generates over £100 million per annum for the London economy, and feeds into many other iconic British events, not least those hosted during London Fashion Week - the BAFTAs glamour was brought to life through fashion on the red carpet, and the BRITs saw Roland Mouret and Erin O'Connor present the Best International Male Artist. In addition to this, The Face of Fashion exhibition preview at the National Portrait Gallery saw Kate Moss, Erin O'Connor and the fashion pack celebrate some of the most talented fashion photographers of the past decade.
Hilary Riva, Chief Executive of The British Fashion Council commented “The design talent in London shone through this season with tradition, innovation and avant garde, offering something for everyone. I am delighted our audience is growing as increased exposure can only strengthen our designers' businesses and London's position as one of the world's leading fashion capitals”.
For more information, please contact:
Caroline Rush/Kate McGee at Crush Communications Tel: 020 7851 4655 or caroline@crushcommunications.co.uk/ kate@crushcommunications.co.uk
Editor’s Notes:
LONDON FASHION Week is organised by The British Fashion Council
The NEW GENERATION sponsorship was established in 1993, acting as a promotional launch pad for young designers, attracting media profile, orders and investment whilst offering encouragement and support for new talent. It has also helped to initiate the careers of some of the UK's top international names such as Alexander McQueen, Antonio Berardi, Clements Ribeiro, Julien Macdonald, Matthew Williamson and Sophia Kokosalaki. TOPSHOP has been the sponsor of "New Gen" since 2002.
FASHION FORWARD was set up in September 2006 and is sponsored by Westfield London. In its inaugural season it sponsored Giles Deacon and Jonathan Saunders shows. This season it sponsored Giles, Jonathan and Sinha-Stanic's shows.