BEST OF BRITISH

Vivienne Westwood needs no introduction. The queen of punk redefined fashion over her incredible 50-year career. Her boutique, SEX, which she shared with Sex Pistol’s manager Malcolm McLaren, created looks that defined the punk movement, and Westwood was the first to create a relationship between a brand and a subculture. Her designs merged French couture with Saville Row tailoring. The result? Subversive styles cut with traditional English heritage aesthetics. And they’re just as relevant today as they were then. Think lots of leather, high-energy tartan and renaissance-style corsets. Following her death in 2022, her brand has continued with her husband Andreas Kronthaler at the helm, drawing from the late legend’s own wardrobe, rebellion and style to inspire his collections.

More recently? AW25 was loud, proud, and just a little bit unhinged. Think swollen proportions, high-energy tartan and renaissance-style corsets. And Charlie XCX choosing the Draped Corseted Mini Dress in ivory crepe satin for her London wedding ceremony? It doesn’t get any more iconic. Classic British fabrics, like Harris Tweed, tartan and Yorkshire wool, were re-coded for a modern, rebellious runway. Menswear stormed back, borrowing swagger from icons as eclectic as Quentin Crisp, Beyoncé, Bardot and Prince. Still dressing the city’s glorious misfits. Still rewriting the rules.

Burberry’s in a new era. Daniel Lee is looking back to move forward - reworking the house codes that began with gabardine and the iconic trench in 1879 and recharging them with street-ready energy. Checks, quilts, scarves, and sneakers carry Burberry’s British spirit from the archives onto today’s streets.

Their latest collection draws its soul from the British countryside - or, more specifically, from the Londoners who flee there in search of rest and respite. But instead of rolling hills, AW25 took to the Tate Modern, swapping muddy boots for Knight Blue carpets. From Lila Moss and Naomi Campbell to Richard E. Grant, the line-up reads like a who’s who of British icons. This season, the house looked inward, (literally) turning to the interiors of stately country homes, dragging plush fabrics out of drawing rooms and letting them loose against the backdrop of the rainy capital. It’s a love letter to London, sealed with the perfectly on-brand mantra: It’s Always Burberry Weather. It doesn’t get more quintessentially British than Burberry.

The British popstar turned designer has always been a fashion icon, known for everything from her on-stage Posh Spice looks to red carpet couture and airport style. So, when Victoria Beckham released her eponymous clothing brand in 2008, we couldn’t wait to see what she would create. Taking inspiration from her own signature style, her brand is built around modern takes on elevated wardrobe stapes. Think polished feminine silhouettes, elegant tailoring and, of course, timeless British luxury.

Victoria Beckham’s AW25 is built for real life. Sleek, body-conscious shapes meet pussy-bowed knits, statement heels and the ease of slouched trousers with undone shirts. It’s fashion that understands not just what women wear, but how they move through the day - balancing diaries, roles and everything in between. If there’s anyone to take cues from, it’s her. She even turned the morning-after bathrobe into a look before anyone else caught on.

Stella McCartney has always been ahead of the game. Rock royalty and ex-Chloe creative director, McCartney has surpassed being a nepo baby and created her own legacy becoming a household name in British luxury fashion with her innovative designs. Known for her sharp silhouettes, detail orientated suits and statement accessories, McCartney ranges from womenswear to sportswear, skiwear and tailoring - she proves you really can do it all.

She released her must-have Falabella bag 16 years ago, which quickly became an It bag, and is just as popular today, released in new style variations every season.

Corporate girl meets fashion It-girl. Stella McCartney’s AW25 puts a square toe front and centre. Think masculine loafers clashing with sensual heels. Power shoulders storm through suiting, knits, draped dresses and tops - an ‘80s rerun with a modern switch-up. Jackets cinch the waist. Straight trousers and pencil skirts keep it sharp. Sequinova makes its debut - plant-based sequins lighting up mini dresses, a world first. And on the runway, adidas collabs return in the shape of the Stella McCartney x adidas Rasant trainer in new colourways.

Bright, playful and experimental, JW Anderson knows how to deliver. The past year has been big for the Northern Irish designer as his fun-loving designs have been setting the fashion world on fire. Anderson isn’t afraid to subvert expectations and fashion trends, creating outlandish designs that construct his own world of wonder. Each collection tells a different story, with playful looks and fun object-like accessories. Some of our faves include: the Pigeon Clutch, the House Bag, and most recently the Penny Loafer bag. Anderson merges concept and creativity with his designs that give a refreshing and colourful animation to the runway. His creativity seemingly never stops, and we can’t get enough. For AW25, Anderson hasn’t stopped. Tea towels, ceramics, a jewel-encrusted dress mashed with a men’s blazer—he makes the unexpected look easy. Collaborations? Christiane Kubrick, Harry Styles’ Pleasing, Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers. What’s next? Impossible to say. But we’re ready.

Into statement-making fashion? Alexander McQueen is the one. The late designer, who earned a reputation as the industry’s ultimate bad boy, got the world talking. And in 2025, his eponymous label has continued to make waves. Gritty, raw and bold, Alexander McQueen has always felt rebellious. Provocative and experimental - this is a brand that doesn’t play by anyone’s rules. Archival pieces like the notorious Bumster pants are just as relevant today as they were in the early ‘90s. Alexander McQueen AW25 was dandyism turned up to eleven - lace tights, neck ruffs and jaw-dropping hourglass cuts everywhere. Creative director Seán McGirr went all-in on his British-Victoriana-rocker fantasy, sending out sheer black lace maxis with hip detailing, corsets with exposed hook-and-eye closures, and silhouettes that dripped Elizabethan drama. Cue Oscar Wilde. “‘Be thyself’ shall be written,” read the show notes, as models floated from mirrored halls into a crumbling palatial set. Some key pieces to add to your collection? Think lace tights, precision tailoring, fluid fabrics and statement-making knitwear.

What started as a line of T-shirts has quickly become one of the biggest names in British menswear. A lifestyle as much as a collection of wardrobe staples, Buxton credits his community and their aligned values with the brand’s almost overnight success: “We have such a great understanding of our communities, because we are ultimately a part of it. Six years ago, we were in that community - obsessed with fashion to a degree and a love of dressing well.”

Now expanding into experimental menswear with trucker caps and workwear-inspired pieces, we’re eager to see where they go next. For now, we’re loving their staple tees, heavyweight hoodies, insulated puffers, pops of vivid colour, and the colossal totes they’ve become known for.

High energy, feminine and dripping in sex appeal: these are the pillars of David Koma’s designs. The Georgian-born designer founded his namesake brand in 2009, launching at London Fashion Week as a Central Saint Martin’s graduate. Since then, the brand has achieved It status thanks to its body-contouring silhouettes, form-fitting dresses and elevated LBDs.

Koma’s AW25 is all femme fatale energy. Aggression meets allure in faux fur, crystal details, and faux exotic leather. Inspired by three Bond Girls, the collection explores modern femininity from every angle. With Beyoncé, Adele, and J-Lo, as just a handful of his fans, the KOMA Club just keeps growing, with no sign of slowing down.

One of the coolest brands in London right now? It’s a big claim, but it’s one that Aries has earned. Founded by Sofia Prantera in 2010, Aries has established itself as one of the hottest names on the streetwear scene. The appeal? Aries was made for the underdog. The brand has reached cult status thanks - in no small part - to its signature attitude. Think low-key, punk cool. The brand’s first brick-and-mortar was the Soho set’s hottest opening in 2023, and their collabs with streetwear giant Puma and footwear favourite New Balance, tells us it’ll only get bigger and better from here. Aries has cemented itself as the must-have uniform for the coolest person you know, and their ready-to-wear styles are a non-negotiable in your wardrobe, from their elevated sportswear to their signature scarves and graphic tees. AW25 sees Aries double down on their signature vibe: vivid animal-print knits, slouchy tailoring, effortless bombers, lace everything - and, of course, the iconic ‘No Problemo’ line in collaboration with Alpha Industries. We can’t wait to see what they do next.

Founded in 2011 by brothers George and Michael Heaton, Represent has taken the world of luxury streetwear by storm. Their mission? As George Heaton explained in an interview with FLANNELS, is “to build the biggest brand in the world.” No big deal. To date, the brand is known for its cult following, pop-up experiences and mammoth queues. And the brand has more than established itself as a leading voice in the industry. The Heatons have released an archival story book, capsule collections with FLANNELS and heritage boxing brand Everlast, hosted a triumphant collaboration with MARCHON and Puresport to explore “using fitness as a tool to manifest successful business,” and their now infamous Run Clubs.

When we say big moves? We mean it. Earlier this year, Represent dropped its first-ever womenswear line. The Heaton brothers teaming up with Topshop legend Toni Purdie to deliver baggy tracksuits, leather biker jackets, denim jumpsuits, jeans and slip dresses. Other drops rolled out with a line-up of collabs read like a rock tour poster: Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Oasis, Belstaff, Metallica. We’re already gearing up for the next drop.