Runway ready: Knightsbridge prepares for London Fashion Week 2023

From pre-loved luxury finds to investment designer buys, fashion journalist Francine Heath offers the ultimate local shopping guide in the run-up to LFW, taking place from Friday 17 – Tuesday 21 February 2023

When it comes to iconic shopping locations around the world, we all have certain spots that hold a special place in our style-seeking hearts. There are the bustling sidewalks of New York’s Madison Avenue, the ultra-chic streets lined with designer boutiques in Paris, and the iconic cobblestone walkways in Jackie Kennedy’s beloved Capri. Now, with London Fashion Week on the horizon, there’s no better time to place Knightsbridge on your radar as the capital’s go-to destination.

When spending a day in the well-heeled West searching for wardrobe investments, it feels fitting to start at 1 Sloane Street, where Burberry lies, with its meticulously restored Victorian façade. Described as a celebration of the past, present and future, the flagship store holds significant historical ties to the SW1 postcode, since it was here that founder Thomas Burberry first opened a shop. If you follow the esteemed British brand on Instagram, you may have already seen Daniel Lee’s anticipated first release as chief creative officer: a modernised logo in place of Peter Saville’s “TB” and a campaign starring the likes of Liberty Ross and Lennon Gallagher. Though these new images are stamped with a revamped version of the Equestrian Knight Design that debuted in 1901, fans of the way Lee recharged Bottega Veneta will have to wait patiently until Burberry’s LFW show on Monday 20 February for a glimpse of any new pieces before finding them in store.

Until then, once you’ve tried on a signature honey-hued trench coat or two, have some fun quoting Ab Fab’s Edina and Patsy on the way to Harvey Nichols. A glass of champagne there is optional, but a trip to the first floor is mandatory to check out the beautiful new home of buzzy French designer JACQUEMUS. You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to Le Chiquito bags.

One of the many great things about shopping in Knightsbridge is the refined mixture of boutiques in the area. Alongside Boss, Diesel and Giorgio Armani, you’ll discover plenty of high-street favourites dotted around, including AllSaints, Reiss and Zara (where those quick on the draw might just be lucky enough to bag one of the viral oversize bomber jackets that are all over TikTok). In Harrods, step inside The Kooples to find killer leather jackets and an array of seriously sleek tailoring. Somewhere between rock’n’roll and classic, the blazers will bring joy to anyone trying to mirror Claudia Winkleman’s finale outfit from The Traitors, styled by the brilliant Sinead McKeefry.

If a splurge that’s a little more sustainable is on your mind, Sellier Knightsbridge won’t let you down. Found at 6 Cheval Place – not far from Café Kitsuné on Motcomb Street, if you’re in desperate need of a chocolate-topped cappuccino at this point – it offers a curation of authentic luxury pre-loved goods by power players such as Chanel, Fendi, Balmain and Christian Dior. Happy hunting!

Francine Heath is a fashion journalist who has written for Vogue, i-D and Refinery29