LONDON — The Princess of Wales and actor Sienna Miller anchored a British Fashion Council programme on Saturday that placed the tailored British coat at the heart of London Fashion Week's autumn showcase. Designers spotlighting heritage outerwear presented to packed rooms across the capital.
London Fashion Week runs through the weekend, with the British Fashion Council coordinating catwalk shows, presentations and retail events across venues including the Strand and Somerset House. Organisers have used this edition to promote domestic manufacturing and wool-based tailoring, framing the coat as a signature of British craft.
Brands including Burberry and Barbour have long been associated with tailored outerwear, and smaller labels used the weekend to court buyers and press attention. Designers and retailers argued that renewed royal and celebrity interest in quality coats could lift sales heading into the autumn season.
The British Fashion Council said the industry contributes billions of pounds to the UK economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs. A spokesperson described the weekend's programme as intended to "showcase the very best of British design talent and the craftsmanship behind our most iconic garments."