As fashion designers paid their respects during the period of national sorrow, London Fashion Week opened with tributes to the late monarch, including an all-black opening look and models holding a picture of Queen Elizabeth.

This year’s London Fashion Week, which took place during the UK’s national period of mourning following the late Queen Elizabeth II’s death on September 8, featured a lot of tributes to the late monarch.

Parties have been rescheduled, and shows on Monday, the day of the queen’s state funeral, have been rescheduled. Although some of the most anticipated attractions this season, Burberry and Raf Simons, withdrew from the Sept. 16–20 show, it is difficult for smaller designers to do the same.

Holr is looking at the best moments from the London Fashion Week shows that paid homage to Queen Elizabeth II:

On the Richard Quinn runway, embellished black dresses, crowns, and customary mourning veils were worn in remembrance of the Queen. In a moving tribute, a video of the monarch was presented at the opening segment of the event.

“Richard Quinn dedicates his spring/summer 2023 collection to Her Majesty the Queen, who touched him among so many others with her grace and kindness.” the designer wrote in a statement.

In the beautiful setting of The British Museum, mourning veils made another appearance on the Erdem spring/summer 2023 runway. This collection was inspired by art restoration.

Erdem Moralıoğlu expressed his sadness at learning of Her Majesty the Queen’s passing to British Vogue, saying that “it has given me, and all of us showing in London, a real sense of solidarity. Showing alongside all of the other extraordinary designers, we collectively celebrate her.”

During the JW Anderson spring/summer show, a model walked the runway wearing a black T-shirt dress with white writing that read: “Her Majesty The Queen, 1926-2022, Thank you.” This was one of the more observable tributes to the Queen.

In a statement, the designer stated that in the aftermath of the monarch’s passing, “the London fashion community must stand together and continue to create the incredible stories that this city is known for.”

The opening look for Halpern’s spring/summer 2023 collection featured a silky green gown beneath a dramatic blue cloak that resembled one of the ceremonial gowns worn by the monarch. The design also featured Her Majesty’s signature silk headscarf and bright, solid colours. “It was our way of respectfully paying tribute,” Michael Halpern said to British Vogue.

A model wearing a black suit and a mourning armband in honour of Her Majesty opened the Daniel W. Fletcher show after a moment of silence.

Despite the sad circumstances, Fletcher said he was glad that London Fashion Week was still going on and that there was “a really strong tie between British fashion and the royal family.” However, he also added that he wanted to set the correct tone in his show.

Published by HOLR Magazine.