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From Burberry's see-now-buy-now runway revolution to the hottest rising stars at Fashion East, the catwalk-inspired beauty looks to covet and the exhibitions to book: 10 things to love right now from our favourite fashion capital.

1. SPECIAL K

CHRISTOPHER KANE Kane-intarsia wool jumper

With Scottish-born Christopher Kane at the helm, it's perhaps no surprise that a show inspired by 'recluses and hoarders' would tempt us to go out and do a little sartorial hoarding ourselves. Yes, Kane's genius AW16 collection may have looked to the rubbish tip for style pointers but it unearthed some new season gems. Our favourite piece to showcase on the SS17 FROW? The giant 'K' for Kane-motif sweater, of course.

 

SHOP CHRISTOPHER KANE

2. THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE

The September collection from Burberry (Copyright Burberry/Testino)

As if launching its first see-now-buy-now, non-seasonal catwalk show wasn't enough – watch this space to be the first to get your hands on the new collection, now simply called September – British mega-brand Burberry has unveiled a new, specially designed show venue that will give a close-up view of the craftsmanship behind the range. 'Makers House' will open at 1 Manette Street, London, from 21–27 September, showcasing original works by some of Britain's finest artisans, using the new collection as inspiration. Held in conjunction with The New Craftsmen, click here for a full list of the installations and activities.

 

SHOP BURBERRY

3. EASTERN PROMISE

RICHARD MALONE turtleneck knitted dress

All grown up and celebrating its sixteenth year, Fashion East has lost none of its nous for discovering the next big thing. We have founder Lulu Kennedy's talent-nurturing showcase to thank for two of our fall-in-love-with new labels, Richard Malone and Caitlin Price – whose Shakespeare reCITED event with Little Simz will be live streamed on 17 September – as well as a list of high-profile alumni as long as your arm. And for SS17? The (beautifully made-up) face to look out for is none other than Central Saint Martins' MA graduate Matty Bovan.

 

SHOP FASHION EAST ALUMNI

4. UNIQUE: C’EST CHIC

TOPSHOP Unique Feldon tie-neck wool and cashmere-blend jumper

At Unique's AW16 catwalk show, creative director Kate Phelan referenced the eclecticism of the 80s as inspiration. "Back then, you could be a new romantic, a punk, a goth or into pop, all at once," said Phelan backstage. "We wanted to offer that sense of individuality; how real girls dress right now." Cue AW16's felted khaki, faux-fur and fairy-tale velvet pieces. And for next season? Get your hands on the latest looks straight from the runway on Sunday 18 September, as the brand joins Burberry in the see-now-buy-now stakes.

 

SHOP TOPSHOP UNIQUE

5. STAR MAN

ERDEM Raisha ruffled metallic-lace gown

Fast becoming the showman of London Fashion Week, each season Erdem Moralıoğlu takes us on a romantic fashion journey – with a little help from set designer Robin Brown. For autumn/winter it was a look back to the golden years of Hollywood, complete with an All About Eve soundtrack, a set filled with discarded chandeliers, decaying drapes and broken furniture, and more than a nod to the cobweb-laced glamour of Sunset Boulevard – all housed in our very own Old Selfridges Hotel. The results? Some of the most desirable red-carpet dresses in town.

 

SHOP ERDEM

6. GAME ON

ANYA HINDMARCH shearling cross-body bag

Anya Hindmarch is seeing the world in pixels for AW16. Using her uncanny knack for turning the everyday into something super special, the accessories supremo has taken the tropes of early computer games (think Pac-Man meets Tetris combined with a Rubik's Cube colour palette for good measure) to come up with the most playful collection of the season. And that's not all. Want to match your social feed with your accessories? With a little help from Ms Hindmarch's new free app, Pix by Anya, you can create your own pixelated artwork using your own photographs. Expect to see these works of art filling your Instagram feeds over the next few weeks.

 

SHOP ANYA HINDMARCH

7. SHE'S A RAINBOW

Rainbow-bright eyes, courtesy of make-up artist Emma Bridge

Fashion week is not just about the clothes – it's a chance for the beauty industry to shine too. Sometimes quite literally. Looking for a new LFW look? Why not road-test uber-cool make-up-artist-of-the-moment Lucy Bridge's top tip for the week: "If there is one thing you should be wearing this season, it's super-glitzy, glossy eye lids," says Bridge. "Whether you're using just one colour or multiple shades, you can create a high-fashion look quickly and easily."

 

SHOP EYESHADOWS

8. AFTER-THE-PARTY HAIR

Sam McKnight backstage at the AW16 Burberry show

When it comes to LFW hair tips, who better to ask than super-stylist Sam McKnight, whose must-see retrospective exhibition opens at Somerset House on 2 November. "My stand-out AW16 show from London was Burberry," says McKnight. "I really wanted the hair to offset the electric eclecticism of the clothes, so I created a textured, undone 'faux-hawk' which gave a slept-in-after-the-party look. Hair should never look too 'done'. Texture plays a key part in modern hairstyles and my tip is to work with the natural feel of your hair, rather than trying to make it do something it doesn't want to do."

 

SHOP HAIR STYLING

9. WORD OF VERMOUTH

Belsazar vermouth

The trending tipple of fashion folk has come a long way since the heady days of Joan Collins' iconic telly ad for Cinzano in the late 1970s. Yes, vermouth – straight up, in Manhattans, with soda, with everything – is reportedly the drink to order in the cooler reaches of east London these days. Want to develop a taste for fortified wine in the safety of your own home? Try our delicious selection of vermouths, including one of our favourites, Belsazar.

 

SHOP BELSAZAR

10. ALL THAT JAZZ

A Fashion Phantasy, by Gordon Conway (Mary Evans Picture Library)

Once we've finished hotfooting it around London Fashion Week, we'll be taking in a show of a different kind. September's don't-miss exhibition, 1920s Jazz Age Fashion & Photographs, at the Fashion and Textile Museum, takes a fascinating look at the decade of bobbed hair, drop-waist frocks and bright young things. With more than 150 garments – from sportswear to fringed flapper dresses – illustrations from the likes of Gordon Conway and photographs from Cecil Beaton, Man Ray and Baron Adolph de Meyer, this promises to be an inspiring trip back in time. The exhibition is open from 23 September to 15 January 2017.

 

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