There’s a lot to be argued for the diversity of British fashion: it’s anchored in classic tailoring techniques while being surprisingly innovative.
Our top best fashion designers in London picks span from traditional legacy brands that never go out of style to a slew of eccentric contemporary designers establishing a name for themselves both at home and abroad.
It took a while, but the London fashion scene is finally back on top, thanks to the city’s new generation of designers.
Trailblazers like Maximilian Davis and Yuhan Wang are rewriting the rules and experimenting with new ideas, drawing influence from various facets of the Big Smoke to create their distinct collections.
List of 25 Best Fashion Designers in London:
1. Vivienne Westwood
Vivienne Westwood is as British as they come. The Derbyshire-born designer founded her business in the early 1970s and is credited with defining British fashion. She began by dressing the punk movement and incorporating the Union Jack in many of her clothing pieces, and she is now one of the most popular British businesses.
2. Pringle of Scotland
The luxury Scottish knitwear brand founded in 1815 has grown to provide a whole fashion range that is worn by numerous celebrities, including Madonna, David Beckham, and Tilda Swinton.
3. Amanda Wakeley
Amanda Wakely is noted for her high-end, beautiful, feminine creations, and she has dressed numerous celebrities and royals during her career, including Diana, Princess of Wales.
4. Matthew Williamson
The Central St Martins graduate is recognized for his vibrant and feminine designs, which Sienna Miller and Cat Deeley like.
5. Stella McCartney
Stella studied fashion at the prestigious Central St Martin College of Art and Design and her graduation show features some of her model friends, including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Yasmin Le Bon. McCartney’s designs are worn by some of the world’s biggest celebrities including Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. Stella’s brand is as well known for its delicate feminine cuts as it is for her animal welfare ethics: the designer is a vegetarian like her famous parents and does not use leather or fur in her collections.
6. House of Holland
Henry Holland, 29, is a popular young British fashion designer who clothes celebrities such as Alexa Chung and Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts.
7. Alexander McQueen
McQueen was known as the ‘enfant terrible of British fashion’ due to his innovative and provocative creations. After his unexpected death in 2010, the company was taken up by Sarah Burton, who went on to design a particularly special dress.
8. Paul Smith
Smith’s success in fashion can be attributed to his incredibly wearable classic meets eccentric designs. Smith may not be the most experimental, but his superbly tailored suits and sturdy casual wear have solidified his reputation as one of the UK’s most successful designers.
9. John Galliano
The British designer from Gibraltar is known for his elaborate creations and has worked for many years for French fashion brands such as Dior and Givenchy. Galliano created Kate Moss’ 1920s-inspired wedding gown for her marriage to musician Jamie Hince in 2011.
10. Zandra Rhodes
The designer, who began her line in the late 1960s, is well-known for her use of cloth and color. In her time, Rhodes clothed numerous celebrities and royals, including Queen Freddie Mercury and Diana, Princess of Wales.
11. Philip Treacy
Philip Treacy, an Irish-born London designer, was educated at the Royal College of Art and has gone on to become one of the world’s most prominent milliners. Treacy has designed hats and fascinators for several celebrities, including Princess Beatrice, who wore the famous ‘pretzel’ hat to the royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011.
12. Alice Temperley
The Somerset-born designer is all about feminine cuts, colors, and the bohemian aesthetic. Celebrities like Kate and Pippa Middleton adore Temperley’s designs.
13. Jasper Conran
Jasper Conran is well-known for his typical British design. Conran also creates costumes for the stage and the ballet.
14. Biba
Biba, the brainchild of Polish-born Barbara Hulaniki, was a famous London fashion store in the 1960s and 1970s. The company was resurrected in 2006 by British designer Bella Freud, who quickly left to form her line. House of Frasier later acquired Biba.
15. Burberry
The clothing designer is well-known for reinterpreting ‘British suit tailoring’ with a modern touch. His flagship store is located on Savile Row, one of London’s most fashionable streets.
16. David Koma
David Koma may have been born in Georgia, but his designs are distinctly British. Samantha Cameron, the prime minister’s wife, sat front row at the London-based designer’s Spring/Summer 2011 London Fashion Week show.
17. Victoria Beckham
Since its inception in 2008, the former Spice Girls singer’s label has grown from strength to strength. Many celebrities, including Julia Roberts, Michelle Williams, and Jennifer Lopez, wear Victoria’s designs.
18. Mulberry
This handbags and leather products firm, founded in Somerset in 1971, is linked with quality and durability.
19. Ozwald Boateng
The clothing designer is well-known for reinterpreting ‘British suit tailoring’ with a modern touch. His flagship store is located on Savile Row, one of London’s most fashionable streets.
20. Catherine Walker
The designer was born in France and migrated to the UK in her twenties, swiftly becoming a force to be reckoned with in British couture. Walker designed nearly 1,000 pieces for Princess Diana, and her designs were also picked by the Duchess of Cambridge for her and Prince William’s 2011 trip to North America.
21. Hussein Chalayan
The British/Turkish Cypriot designer is recognized for his creative and artistic creations and has dressed performers such as Lady Gaga and Bjork.
22. Basso and Brooke
The design pair debuted their first collection in 2004 and have since been dubbed “masters of digital print.” Many celebrities, including Michelle Obama, have worn their works.
23. Mary Quant
The iconic designer was huge in the 1960s for being the lady behind the famed and, at the time, ground-breaking miniskirt and hot pants. Quant clothes and makeup are still available in Japan.
24. Bruce Oldfield
Oldfield, well renowned for his couture, was a favored designer of Princess Diana, and his creations are still worn by Hollywood celebrities and royalty.
25. Stephen Jones
Nobody does or wears hats like the British, so it’s no surprise that milliner Stephen Jones is regarded as one of the best and most imaginative in the business. Jones has worked with a diverse range of fashion designers, including Dior, Giles Deacon, and Vivienne Westwood. He’s also designed hats for celebrities and royalty, including Princess Diana.
