Chaos and Creativity: My Unforgettable Day at London Fashion Week Feb 2025
What an exhilarating day at London Fashion Week AW25/26 February 2025! I had every intention of filming a YouTube Video to capture the magic, but as luck would have it, I arrived in London just in the nick of time for Charlie Constantinou’s show at 180 Strand. With so much happening all at once, I had to make a quick decision: focus on filming or seize the moment with my camera. I chose the latter. After all, there’s something irreplaceable about freezing a moment in time through photography. Next time, though, I’ll be better prepared with my action camera ready to roll the second I arrive.
It was fantastic running into familiar faces, especially Poultry Motion, aka Chicken (yes, that’s his name—or at least the one I know him by!). He’s a Twitch streamer who blends live streaming with event photography, and he’s been a massive help since my first London Fashion Week. We’ll likely cross paths again at The Photography and Video Show at Excel in a few weeks, and I’m already looking forward to it.
The Charlie Constantinou show was a great start to the day. I managed to snap a mix of portraits and candid shots of the attendees dressed to impress. One woman, in particular, caught my eye—she was stunning in a red jumper layered over a white dress paired with chic sunglasses. I regret not handing her my business card, but I did exchange details with others. If anyone knows who she is, please let me know! The show wasn’t as crowded as others, making it a perfect warm-up for the rest of the day.
Before heading to London, I’d emailed countless designers, press contacts, and insiders to uncover the secret spots for street-style photography. While some replies were less helpful, one tip led me to a potential show location—except the exact spot was a mystery. A friend suggested another location, but it turned out to be on the opposite side of the city, so we missed it. Instead, I filled the time with street photography, capturing the vibrant energy of London until the evening Sinéad O'Dwyer show at 180 Strand.
When I returned to the area, my camera battery was on its last legs. I ducked into a coffee shop across the street for a quick charge, but 30 minutes wasn’t enough. I relied on a portable power bank mid-show—not ideal! To make matters worse, my Godox TT350 flash started acting up. I had to swap out the batteries halfway through, only to realize I’d used a cheap USB charger that hadn’t fully powered them. Lesson learned: always use the original Eneloop Pro charger! My camera settings were also a mess—I wanted to experiment with slower shutter speeds for motion blur, but my ISO was too low, forcing me to rely heavily on the flash. Despite the hiccups, I still walked away with some great shots, though they required a bit of post-production love.
The Sinéad O'Dwyer show was a highlight of the day. It was bigger, busier, and packed with industry heavyweights. I experimented with slow shutter speeds and flash, resulting in some of my favourite photos from the event. The mix of portraits and candid shots turned out beautifully, and the attendees’ outfits were spectacular. It was amusing to see some people change into entirely new looks just to get photographed again—talk about dedication! I even received a few compliments on my leather jacket, which I wear proudly, not just for special occasions but for casual coffee meetups, too. Fashion is a lifestyle, after all!
Reflecting on the day, I’ve learned key lessons. First, if I want to vlog, I must have my setup ready before arriving. Even a simple POV setup could perfectly capture the chaos behind the scenes. Second, I must network more effectively to get insider info on show locations. My goal isn’t to shoot the catwalk but, if I'm lucky, to capture street style and backstage moments. I want to create work that suits my vision, not just what’s trendy for media outlets.
I’m also rethinking my accommodation strategy. Staying outside London in a city like Reading could save me a fortune on hotels, and commuting by train is a small price for a more budget-friendly experience. I’ll also invest in an extra Leica M11 battery and ensure my flash is fully powered with reliable batteries. Proper preparation will make all the difference next time.
Despite the challenges, I’m proud of my accomplishments and excited to improve. London Fashion Week is a whirlwind of creativity, and I’m already looking forward to the next one. I want to connect with more people, push my creative boundaries, and capture photographs that stand the test of time. You can now check out my London Fashion Week Gallery for more photos from this incredible day.
