London Fashion Week Guide

You all probably know how obsessed I am with fashion, but you may not know that traveling has always been my favorite pastime. I was fortunate that I grew up in a family that loved to travel, and that passion rubbed off on me over the years. Maybe it’s the fact that we grew up in a small town (hey, Dothan!) and wanted to see more, or simply the excitement of exploring, but either way I just can’t get enough of it!

I just got back from London Fashion Week, and I cannot even begin to describe how amazing the experience was! Since I flew directly from NYFW, it was interesting to see the similarities and differences between each fashion week – especially the clothing! LFW street style definitely had more of a grunge vibe with chunky platforms and boots, oversized coats, and two specific color schemes: neutral darks or vibrant colors (nothing in between from what I saw). Also, beanies and topknots were absolutely everywhere. I definitely loved all of the styles.

Before I dive into all of the fashion shows, new trends, and fab British designers, I wanted to share my London (trendy) travel guide to give a little insight into my AMAZING week!

Why stay in one hotel when you can mix it up and get a familiar vibe in different areas? Here are the two London spots we chose as our local home base:

There’s something about a modern, boutique hotel that just makes everything feel instantly chic, and The Exhibitionist was definitely my style! Set in a charming area in South Kensington (walking distance to all the museums + Harrods), this edgy and contemporary hotel was quite the unexpected surprise inside based on its classic exterior. The decor features bold artwork, wild colors, an elevator that feels just like Lisa Frank’s garden, and edgy wallpaper from pill capsules to outlandish quotes. This hotel is a unique experience that I totally recommend to everyone.

Pros: recently renovated, familiar staff, great location, fabulous interiors

Cons: zero privacy – The bathroom features a large window which opens to the entire room. If you plan to stay here, you better say goodbye to privacy!

For our second stint in London, we switched over to a more classic hotel called the Conrad St. James by Hilton. It’s safe to say this is a complete 180 to our first hotel, but I would recommend this one just as much as the first! As a more traditional large hotel, complete with classic yet modern interiors, this is the perfect hotel for anyone, not just the trendy traveler. Our room was absolutely perfect for relaxing, with a huge comfy bed, rain shower, deep soaking tub, all the amenities imaginable, plus buttons for literally everything we needed without having to get up. After a long week of traveling, this definitely hit the spot.

Pros: luxurious rooms, good location, classic

Cons: Feels more like a classic American hotel – though that’s not necessarily a bad thing!

Bob Bob Ricard – Home of the famous Press for Champagne button

Harrods – Tea and Macaroons

Sketch – Great food and drinks, but the coolest bathroom of all time

 

Somerset House – The Lincoln Center of London Fashion Week

RewardStyle Headquarters (for any rS bloggers)

Harrods & Harvey Nichols – shopaholics

The Tube – You have to try this at least once..

It’s nearly impossible to squeeze in everything in a short period of time, so I recommend focusing on your top list items and planning the week around that. My first visit to London with Blair, we spent the week visiting all of the museums and sights – which was such an incredible experience. Since this trip was focused around London Fashion Week, I planned my week around fashion shows and local hotspots. Whether you are an avid traveler or heading to Europe for your first time, London has something for everyone and is absolutely an amazing (and easy) must-see city!

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