CHANGE-MAKERS, NEWGEN: A 30-Year Legacy of Redefining Fashion, Challenging Norms, and Promoting Inclusivity.
Young designers in London are leading the way in fashion with their innovative approaches. Above all, the CHANGE-MAKERS in London prioritize creativity. That is to say,they go beyond traditional methods. They reshape the fashion landscape. Meanwhile, NEWGEN, an initiative by the British Fashion Council, inspires exploration of new strategies of social responsibility, and originality. In other words, this journey is essential for fostering a vibrant fashion scene that allows everyone to participate.
There is a revolutionary spirit in the act of creation. This part of the exhibition illuminated how London fashion designers embark on an endless journey of action. What truly touches us in fashion? CHANGE-MAKERS create a vibrant landscape for individuality and personal design identity. Are you ready to explore it?
1) Russell Sage: “Shabby, but still here!” Lucinda Chambers.
Russell Sage, a pioneer of upcycling and circular design in London, created a unique jacket from an old Union Jack flag in the 2000s. Renowned for using delicate antique fabrics, he caught the attention of Lucinda Chambers, then the fashion director of British Vogue. In short, Chambers commissioned the jacket to be modelled by Kate Moss. She styled the shoot with vintage and modern fashion, stating, “It was everything I loved.
” Russell remarked, “Everything else I made at that time has either fallen apart or been reused.”
Vintage Union Jack jacket, 2008, Russel Sage / Photo rights © Think-Feel-Discover.com
2) Bethany Williams: “I wanted to work in the fashion industry to sort of get infiltrated – and work with the system to help others.”
Bethany Williams grew up volunteering at homeless shelters and food banks while studying art. Her fashion label integrates fashion with grassroots community work. Her Spring/Summer 20222 collection, “All Our Stories,” features bright, collaged sportswear, showcasing her ethical and environmental practices. It highlights the Magpie Project, which supports women and children in temporary accommodation.
3) Christopher Raeburn: “In 2009, my first collection was eight garments made from one military parachute. I made this idea in England, but I remade it in England. To take things that exist and make them into useful contemporary clothing: that’s the bedrock of my business.”
Christopher Raeburn is a pioneer of sustainable fashion. Seven years before the Paris Agreement in 2016, he began upcycling military surplus found in large quantities in the UK. However, Christopher established a successful business model focused on “remake, reduce, recycle,” which US Vogue featured in 2010. Today, he is focusing on sustainability initiatives with brands like Victorinox and Timberland.
London Fashion Week 2025: What to Expect from This Year’s Revolutionary Styles.
Emroidered dress, Autumn/Winter 2008, Duchesse silk satin
Courtesy Erdem / Photo rights © Think-Feel-Discover.com
London Fashion Week 2025 is more than just a celebration of emerging talent; it’s a testament to the importance of genuine human connection in a digital world. As a fashion creative, it represents a quest for something greater than ourselves—something hidden and beyond our comprehension. It’s a time to embrace innovative experimentation and shape the future through the designer’s unique individuality in the ideal place, London.
Mower says: “That’s what excites me. To think that there could be young people who come to see things that fill them with wonder, and because young people also made those things, they’ll realize, Oh, I can do that too. We’re at a critical moment, so I’m very focused on proving that creativity is a superpower of this country.”
Rebel: 30 Years of London Fashion, sponsored by Alexander McQueen, was on view at the Design Museum in London from September 16, 2023, to February 11, 2024.
Explore Iconic Moments from REBEL 30 Years of London Fashion—a new creative journey.
Photo rights © Think-Feel-Discover.com
