How Did I get Invited To 5 Shows at London Fashion Week?

This February I had my first experience of the twice-yearly festival of fashion at London Fashion Week A/W 2026. The second Fashion Week of the year is in September.

Day One:

I was invited to two shows in the evening- How did I get invited? I just emailed them and asked for a ticket. I said I was a fashion illustrator and I’d like to draw at their show.

-If you’re wondering how I found the email addresses they are on the London Fashion Week website schedule. This was published a couple of weeks before the show. There was a list of all the shows taking place and most of them said “Invite only” but some of them had a little envelope icon next to their names. When you click on those you get straight through to the RSVP email address. So I sent a brief email, and bingo! Five Invites!

I thought it would be a good idea to warm up my sketching skills first by immersing myself in street fashion all day. First stop, Somerset House and The Strand. There were quite a few cool looking people hanging around so I photographed them surreptitiously to draw later.

Soon I discovered that people who dress up want you to photograph and draw them. In fact, they encourage you to do it and are really friendly and welcoming, so I soon got the hang of asking people to pose.

Next time I’ll be braver, like my fashion illustrator friend Helen Ridley- people were happy to pose for a few minutes while she drew them and then allowed her to photograph them with the drawing.

I drew some quick outlines and then headed to Old Bond Street (deserted and raining!). Pickings were slim, so I drew a few sparse fashionistas until the rain started to ruin my pens.

The plan was to head down the King’s Road, Chelsea, but I only got as far as Peter Jones’ cafe in Sloane Square. I stopped for an elongated pit stop and added colour to my earlier drawings.

Here are my first examples:

Next it was time to head East, to Brick Lane.

The show launched a collaboration between Nosakhari and Tega Akinola, a limited edition leather bag collection entitled “Modern Circuit”.

There were several beautiful bags on display, surrounded by many beautiful people! I spent all evening sketching with my Pentel Fude brush pen, aiming to capture the idea of the bag and the atmosphere of the evening. So many people engaged with me and my drawing, it’s such a great way to connect. I was delighted to meet some lovely influencers, stylists, photographers and models: Lucy Kulang, Aya Lisch, Euan Conboy and Candice Sabiduria, Phebe Boateng, Nash the Plug, Saint the Sinner and Obattherobot (Links to their Instas coming up at the bottom of the page).

It was a really cool evening and I was so pleased to get to speak to Tega Akinola. Take a look at her instagram, it shows every stage of how she creates her work, it’s really fascinating. Also, have a look at the Nosakhari crossbody Butler Bag, on which the designs are based, they are incredible feats of craftsmanship.

I was so enraptured with the Nosakhari show that I didn’t leave enough time to get to my second show of the evening.

My next event was on Saturday, for the fashion education charity Caramel Rock. The setting was the wonderfully imposing building, Compressor House in Royal Albert. Caramel Rock was founded by Faith Johnson, who was very calmly and coolly overseeing the event, along with the lovely Operations Manager Josette Goli. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, I felt really well looked after. As a bonus, I met my friend Succii from Linked In. She was taking photographs alongside a huge team of photographers, it was so lovely to meet her in real life.

This show was super-exciting as I was invited to sit next to the runway, with my drawing equipment and capture the event. I arrived early, while everyone was setting up and it was extra-special to be involved in the action from the start. I drew the models having their hair and make-up done ( a favourite topic of mine!). I also drew some of the fabulous crowd- there is never enough time to draw everyone that I would like to, so I have collected a lot of photos. Then the runway show started, and I tried to recreate as much of the atmosphere as possible in a flurry of brush pen! The designs were amazing- two designers (Grxy Scale and Krishma Sabbarwal) were showing their work. It was incredible to see, and such a privilege to hear the heartfelt stories behind the collections.

I hope that my illustrations have done justice to their work. I tried to capture the emotions and meaning in the clothes and fabrics.

Music on the night was provided by DJNattyC, which gave a great vibe to the whole event. I was really glad to be stationed next to him and his wife Heather, who danced all night I think!

After the runway show, there was a panel interview with Faith and the designers Grxy Scale and Krishma Sabbarwal, hosted by Maxine Booth and then much posing for photographs on the red carpet! I was delighted to meet the enigmatic, charismatic Mika and beautiful models Charlotte and Meve_me

The atmosphere was so friendly and chilled, the time just flew by.

Here are my drawings from the night:

My final show was the spectacular Justin Cassin menswear runway show on Sunday evening. I had a clash with another show, and I chose Justin Cassin. I’m so glad I did.

Outside there was a huge queue of beautiful people, there were taxis pulling up pouring out more gorgeous guests and photographers in the middle of it all documenting everything.

Once inside, I was able to draw the models backstage having their hair (shout out to Siddabarber in charge of hair!) and makeup done before I moved into the main stage area and sat (temporarily!) in the front row. I just carried on drawing. Photographers were calling people out to photograph them, and others were inviting photographers to take their pictures. It was a great opportunity for me to create live fashion illustrations and connect with models and influencers via instagram. Some of my new London Fashion Week pals there too- Euan, Lucy, Mika and Nash. I must give a special mention to the gorgeous Tigma Barfiwala, who took some wonderful photos of me whilst I was drawing.

Again I was impressed by how friendly and approachable people are, especially when they’ve gone to so much trouble to look fantastic and out of the ordinary.

The show started and captivated everyone. The clothes were really gorgeous- I didn’t realise menswear could be so interesting! The fabrics were really flowing and the leather was smooth as liquid. Obviously the models looked fantastic but the clothes were so beautiful I think anyone would look amazing in them.

The atmosphere was genuinely electric, and even though the catwalk show was over in a matter of minutes it was all so memorable.

The fabulous people hung around for more photographs, and I kind of wished I’d stayed around and drawn more… roll on September!

I hope you’ve enjoyed looking at all my drawings- and one photo (taken by Tigma Barfiwala) from London Fashion Week- and I hope that answers all your questions as to how to get in. One other tip though- if you see an open door… walk through it, preferably wearing a home-made lanyard and holding a sketchbook and pen.

Here are some more details of the people and places I mentioned:

London Fashion Week Helen Ridley Nosakhari Tega Akinola Pentel Fude Brush Pen Lucy Kulang Aya Lisch Euan Conboy Saint the Sinner Nash the Plug Phebe Boateng Caramel Rock Charlotte Succiii DJNattyC meve_me Maxine Booth Mika GrxyScale Krishma Sabbarwal Justin Cassin Siddabarber Tigma Barfiwala

I’ve really enjoyed London Fashion Week and I hope you enjoy looking at my drawings- they certainly brought me a lot of attention whilst I was creating them.

Do get in touch if you would like to me illustrate at your next event- drawing people generates a lot of interest, makes a lot of memories and helps people to promote you.

See you next time, when I’m back from the wedding fayre!