8 Internationally Renowned Best London Fashion Designers

The world of fashion is constantly evolving, and so are the designers that bring it to life. London is a hub for fashion design, housing some of the best creative minds in the industry. Whether you’re after high-end luxury fashion or something more casual, this list of the top London fashion designers has got you covered. Their individual characteristics and personal aesthetics drive their designs forward.

Whether you’re looking for something daring or classic, this list has got you covered with these best London Fashion Designers from different niches – high-end luxury, minimalism and everything in between. These top London Fashion designers either have their roots in the city or have planted their flag firmly there with flagship stores and studios. They often collaborate with other brands too – so keep an eye on these designers for future projects. Whether they are new or old-timers, they are all superstars in our book!

Iconic Fashion Designer Vivienne Westwood and husband Andreas Kronthaler at Milan Fashion week

Vivienne Westwood

British designer Vivienne Westwood has inspired the world fashion industry for the last five decades, and she is credited with creating the punk fashion genre. Vivienne Westwood walks down the catwalk, creates clothing for famous TV shows and movies, and appears at prestigious events and award ceremonies, among other things.

She has been an inspiration to the world since the 1970s, when she became a British style icon. Westwood’s outfits always capture the spirit of punk protests such as chains, tartans, and other material. Vivienne Westwood has been designing incredible masterpieces for A-list celebrities and fashion fanatics since the beginning.

Jimmy Choo

Jimmy Choo

Choo was born in Penang, Malaysia, into a family of shoemakers. His parents inspired him to create his own shoes and he made his first pair when he was 11 years old. After graduating college at Cordwainers Technical College (now part of London College of Fashion) in Hackney, Choo worked at two design firms for nine years before founding his own firm. His parents moved to Britain to assist him, and he subsequently opened his own shop in 1986, leasing an old hospital building.

In 1988, Choo’s craftsmanship and designs were noticed at London Fashion Week. After Vogue’s coverage, Choo’s designs became even more popular and Diana, Princess of Wales’ patronage in the early 1990s further boosted his image.

Tamara Mellon, the accessories editor for British Vogue magazine, co-founded Jimmy Choo Ltd with Choo in 1996. In April 2001, Choo sold his 50% share in the firm for £10 million. Since then, he has worked exclusively on the Jimmy Choo couture line, which is licensed by Jimmy Choo Ltd.

Fashion Designer Paul Smith

Paul Smith

Sir Paul Smith is the king of British fashion for men, and his company celebrates British tailoring with a unique twist. Paul Smith stores all over London, including Floral Street in Covent Garden, sells menswear, women’s wear, watches, fragrances, furniture, and more. The loud cufflinks, wallets, and accessories are instantly recognisable.

He established his fashion business in 1970, and it has grown into over 70 nations, with standalone stores, department stores, airport terminals, and the e-commerce section of its international website being among the avenues through which his items are sold.

Stella McCartney with Ralph Lauren (L) and Alber Elbaz (R)

Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney is the only Fashion Designer on our list born in London, rather than just studied here. Famous in her own right, it’s difficult to not mention the fact Sir Paul McCartney of the Beatles is her father who opened doors for her early employment in haute couture but also heavily influenced her love of animal rights.

In the early 1990s, McCartney studied Fashion Design at Central Saint Martins College of Design and Communication, after which she graduated in 1995. Her graduation collection was modelled for free by friends and supermodels Kate Moss, Yasmin Le Bon and Naomi Campbell, among others.

The long-time darling of the British fashion industry, Stella McCartney began creating outrageous and alluring designs for the French brand Chloé when she was the creative director there. It was then that she began attracting prominent celebrity clients. Having begun her own line and eponymous label in 2001, she has developed a more sophisticated aesthetic sensibility and a more mature style over time. Since she has always cared about the environment, she has never used fur or leather in her outfits, which are often worn by high-profile celebrities.

She now operates 51 stand-alone stores in Manhattan’s Soho, London’s Mayfair, LA’s West Hollywood, Paris’s Palais Royal, Barcelona’s Passeig de Gracia, Milan, Rome, Milan, Miami, and Houston, among other places.

Thomas Burberry

At the age of 21, Thomas Burberry founded Burberry in Basingstoke, adhering to the philosophy that clothes should protect people from Britain’s weather. Thomas then invented gabardine (the weatherproof, breathable and hardwearing fabric that revolutionised rainwear) in 1879 and in 1888 it was patented. He sought to create weatherproof fabrics that would appeal to the growing middle class and country folks by manufacturing waterproof clothing and a wider variety of products. He teamed up with British cotton manufacturers to accomplish this.

Burberry always welcomed endorsements from the rich and famous for his products. Amundsen, Scott, and Shackleton all used Burberry products during their Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. Lord Kitchener and Lord Baden Powell were famously pictured wearing his products, which were also sold to the armed forces.

Victoria Beckham

In 2008, Victoria Beckham released her first collection of clothing. She was well received, and the business has grown ever since, with a sister company (Victoria, Victoria Beckham), accessories, and eyewear included. All four Victoria Beckham lines are created at her studio in London, and the first Victoria Beckham store opened in Mayfair in 2014.

An inborn, insatiable curiosity about fashion, meticulous attention to detail, and an innate ability to influence others contributed to a seamless transition from designer muse to Creative Director of her own line.

Scottish Fashion Designer Christopher Kane

Christopher Kane

Christopher Kane is a British fashion designer who creates innovative, new fashion concepts. Versace hired him first, and there he created his successful Versus line of clothing. His Spring/Summer 07 collection was his big break. He drew attention by using bright neon colours in his designs. He emphasises the glory of the human physique.

He graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 2006 and he founded his namesake label in the same year, with his sister Tammy Kane, who studied at the Scottish College of Textile Design, handling the company’s financials while assisting him with fabric creation and design.

Olga Vilshenko

Olga Vilshenko was raised in the Soviet mountain region. From an early age, she began developing her sewing expertise, learning from her accountant mother. Vilshenko was able to design and wear a skirt before noon by the time she was a teenager.

Upon graduating from accounting school, fashion design classes became accessible in Russia. She went to Chelyabinsk Humanities Institute after getting married, which in turn led to a spot at the prestigious Marangoni fashion school in London, where she earned her degree while raising her young family.

Vilshenko fell in love with London as soon as she arrived in the city. She split her time between London and Moscow, working on her namesake label. In honour of her heritage, she used muted hues in her first collection, which was brought to life through cross-stitch embroidery. The collection was strong, and she was selected to participate in the Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011 New Designers showcase as a result.