Living the Dream: Going to London Fashion Week

Taking the first step

I don’t have a bucket list. First, because I don’t want to add another To-Do List, and second because my personality tends to focus on the practical aspects of life – getting good health insurance and financial stability.

It was for this reason that when my birthday arrived in September, I felt the need to do something special and fun. That reflection quickly turned into pressure and the planning was not becoming fun. Finally, my boyfriend asked me the bucket list question: “What is one thing that you hope to do in this lifetime? You love fashion. Why don’t you just go to Fashion Week in New York?” I laughed at how simple he thought it was, “umm, you have to be invited or you have to know someone in the industry,” I responded. “Can’t you just buy tickets?” he said. “I don’t think it’s that easy,” I said dismissively.

I was intrigued by the premise and the challenge, however. How might one be able to get into Fashion Week? In my 39 years of life, I had somehow managed to enter into a lot of places that did not seem possible to me. I had grown up in Salinas, California, where it was more safe to stay indoors than outdoors, and I had started high school living in a one-bedroom apartment with my family, where I used the 400 square ft. living room to sleep, study, read, listen to music and watch my favorite sitcoms. I rotated between the different corners of the living room, from the couch, desk, mattress and TV, making sure to stay focused on my scholastic activities. I would also re-organize and move the furniture, even a few inches, just to make it look more stylish, believing, even if it was blind faith at the time, that I would one day have a stylish room of my own.

But this hope did give me the keys to get into new spaces and worlds, and paved my path out of that living room and into the hallowed halls of Berkeley and Stanford. Those places then opened up doors for me to travel for the first time. Later in my 30s, I was lucky enough to travel and explore places like Dublin, Rome, and Mexico City (as you can see from my previous posts) all places that once lived in my imagination and then became memories that I lived.

So maybe, just maybe, I could get into Fashion Week, I thought. In the words of Mindy Kaling’s debut memoir title, I thought, “Why Not Me?” This time I wasn’t asking the universe for something related to stability or survival. This time, I was just asking the universe if I could live a little. I did get into Fashion Week and I’m writing this post not only to share some of the experiences for those who are interested in attending in the future, but to encourage you to ask the question for yourself. Why not you? What would be your bucket list version of fashion week?

How to get tickets to London Fashion Week

With any problem I face, I always start by doing research. I quickly found out that getting into New York Fashion Week in less than a month would be too difficult. But, not all hope was lost when I came across a YouTube video from a London-based Fashion Vlogger who explained how she was able to get into London Fashion Week (LFW) simply by asking for tickets. How does it work? The London Fashion Week website provides a PDF schedule for the entire week that lists all the fashion shows and events–some of those shows are categorized as “INVITE only,” while others are categorized as “RSVP.” The RSVP shows provide an email address of the brand’s publicist or publicity firm. I counted 31 RSVP shows for the 2023 Fall London Fashion Week (which is a lot) and then I proceeded to email all 31 brands to ask for tickets.

My personal #1 Rule for asking for things–don’t give off desperate vibes or, as I like to call it, desperado energy. And Rule #2: Be OK with whatever the answer may be. Was I going to write, “Going to your show would fulfill my bucket list dream and I really want to live my dream for my birthday. I HAVE to HAVE these tickets.” No way. I went with a short email instead that just stated some key words about myself and declared my ask. Fashion publicist are very busy people so I had to make snappy. I mentioned that I worked at Stanford in the diversity and sustainability space and that I was going to be in London during LFW and wanted to check out some shows. Might they have any extra tickets? Of the 31 emails I sent, about 14 brands responded with my bespoke ticket. Grant it, most of the designer brands that responded were related to sustainable fashion or expanding diversity in the fashion world. All I needed were a few tickets to get me to pack my bags and head to London.

In the following, I share some of the highlights of my LFW experience, including videos of runways and photos of the wonderful people I met in London. I hope that this will inspire you to also check out Fashion Week or to seek out your version of what it means to #live the dream!

Day 1-2: Making friends and finding community

I arrived to London from San Francisco on the first day of LFW around noon. It was the perfect time to arrive and hop on the London Heathrow Express and the Tube to get to my hotel in the Covent Garden theatre district. I stayed at the Radisson Blue Edwardian Hotel on Mercer Street and it proved to be one of the best hotel experiences I’ve had in my international travels for many reasons: 1. Hotel was centrally located in the theatre district so I could easily catch a play or musical, 2. I was able to check-in slightly early to a clean and comfortable room, and 3. The hotel’s restaurant had delicious breakfast choices, which was included as part of my stay. They also provided me with a complimentary cocktail to enjoy later in the evening. Once I got my room, I felt the jet lag sink in and thus took a power nap so I could be ready for the first fashion show at 6pm. For my first outfit, I went with a black cotton pencil skirt, a cute short sweater with feathery sleeves and a bold lip. I kept it simple since I didn’t know what the London fashion scene would be like. I wore some comfortable 2-inch bedazzled dressy sandals since I was going to take the Tube to the show. I highly recommend you have comfortable shoes so you can handle going to multiple shows across town throughout the week!

I arrived to Jeff Garner’s Prophetik show “Let Them Be Naked” right on time. However, even though I had a ticket/invitation to this event that celebrated sustainable clothing, I had to wait in line outside the venue along with the other fashionistas who were using this time to take photos and show off their eye-catching outfits. Alas, even though the line progressed and we witnessed a woman riding a white horse through the Mayfair neighborhood cobblestoned streets, the Jeff Garner publicist announced that they had reached capacity at the show.

First lesson of LFW: get there early! And second lesson: even though you will momentarily be disappointed when you are not able to get into a show the way I was, you need to have other shows lined up in your itinerary. As people in line dispersed or stayed there to take a few photos for their social media reels, I looked at my itinerary and decided that I would go the Fashion Scout show in the Shoreditch neighborhood where I could catch up-and-coming designers.

Among the crowds dispersing, I noticed a fashionable blonde woman dressed in white who was doing the same thing that I was doing—opening up the Uber app to grab a car. I turned to her and said, “Hey, are you going to the Fashion Scout show? Do you want to share an Uber together?” Vita was her name and I quickly learned that she was quite the influencer with over 1 million followers. I was impressed and felt a certain commonality with her, not on the followers (because I don’t have 1 million followers!), but because she was friendly, bubbly, and a sincere fashion enthusiast. We both just wanted to see fashion that night. And we did.

We arrived to the Fashion Scout venue and ran into the other group of folks who had just left the Prophetik show as well. It turns out there were a lot of Americans in the group visiting from New York or who were already living in London as students of fashion. As a group, we got into the show and was able to catch the tail end of the Junyang’s “Dream in the Garden” collection, which featured formal and elegant wear that integrated aspects of the designer’s Chinese culture and traditional garments.

What started as a disappointing evening turned into a successful first day at LFW. Vita and I did get to see beautiful clothes that night and we took tons of pictures. She quickly became one of my closest friends during the week and taught me how to take interesting photos with better angles and helped me indulge and embrace what we were all there for—to celebrate the glamour, the photos, the content, the flashing lights, and the fantasy of it all.

Day 2: It’s Fashion, Baby

After the first day, I was now fully in #London Fashion Week mode, preparing my outfits in advance and giving myself enough time to make it to the shows. While it is ideal to use London’s convenient subway system because it’s economical and it can get you anywhere in the city, there were a few times that I did have to splurge on an Uber, especially if the shows were back-to-back and in a completely different part of town. In terms of timing, most of the shows start either in the afternoon around 2pm or in the evening around 6pm and concluding at 10pm. This means that if you want to do some tourist activities you will have the entire morning to explore. True to my exploratory nature, I used those hours to check out the Tower of London, The British Museum, The Natural History Museum, and Buckingham Palace. And because I sometimes had gaps in my afternoons, I made sure to get some last minute tickets through Today Tix for a production of Macbeth at The Globe and The Book of Mormon in The Prince of Wales Theatre in the West End.

However, when you’re not exploring London, most of your time is consumed by attending fashion events each day of the week. On my second day, I was able to check out the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design exhibition event in a beautiful Georgian house located in the Bloomsbury district. It was an open house held in the afternoon where I had the chance to speak to young designers and see some of their design-school creation. After going back to my hotel, I had to make a decision about the evening show I wanted to attend since I had two invites for the evening. I ultimately went with the “This Is Icon” designer gala since my friend Vita invited me and also because it featured two major showcases: the first, the Malan Brenton’s final collection and the second was the Jimmy Choo Academy show. Held at the beautiful De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, the This Is Icon show proved to be one of the most unforgettable events of the week AND of my life. I was able to see the who’s who of London society and later on I even got to see Lady Emma Thompson and have a brief selfie interaction with the famed shoe designer and fashion royalty Jimmy Choo!

Here are some of the photographic highlights below!

Day 3-4: Being part of “the scene”

For day 3 of fashion week, I chose to wear my Carmen Rion Huichol blouse to honor Mexican Independence Day. I’ve previously expressed my admiration for this garment, as it’s one of the most comfortable designer blouses I’ve ever worn. Its breathability makes it perfect for a delightful fall day. The first event on the schedule was the Ray Chu presentation of a gender-neutral streetwear capsule with a hint of punk edge. As it was a popular afternoon event, I found myself in a long line, yet I savored the experience. Witnessing the London Fashion Scene in the full daylight was truly a sight to behold. By this point, I felt confident in making my own fashion statement, representing my Mexican heritage with joy as I wandered through the streets of London on that sunny September day.

Later that evening, we attended the Rocky Star show featuring the glamorous and shimmery collection by the Mumbai-based designer, renowned for creating attire for stars such as Beyoncé and Priyanka Chopra. The show took place in a cathedral near Hyde Park, now repurposed as a venue for the London social scene. This venue choice was intentional, as it perfectly complemented the collection’s theme, titled “Souls Be Damned.” Despite the ominous name, the collection exuded beauty, featuring baroque elements with brocade and jacquard fabrics embellished with gold. The use of metallics and shimmery details created a visually captivating display, offering insight into why performers gravitate towards Rocky Star’s designs.

For the fourth day, I was eagerly anticipating the streetwear collection by London-based Abigail Ajobi, which inspired me to dress comfortably in an oversized military green trench-style coat, paired with an all-black camisole and leggings ensemble, complemented by a berry-purple Chanel lipstick. Similar to the previous afternoon show I attended, this was another captivating fashion capsule collection. The Ajobi capsule celebrated prints and colors inspired by her Nigerian heritage through her lux streetwear looks. Her brand of sustainability is not only exemplified in the materials used but also in the fact that she gives a portion of her profits to specific charities.

Upon arriving at the studio, I was surrounded by people dressed in striking outfits that made my tourist streetwear pale in comparison. Consequently, I knew that my purpose was to admire and observe rather than seek attention, although I did manage to capture a photo with the designer herself. Encouraged by the welcoming atmosphere, I eagerly sampled the signature cocktail and mingled with the fabulous crowd. Little did I know, this is where I would meet another new friend at London Fashion Week—Dhosjan, a woman who ordered the same drink and immediately bonded with me over its deliciousness and our shared enthusiasm for the streetwear capsule collection.

When I contemplate what it entails to be part of the “fashion scene,” I think about the classic definition of being seen, photographed, and witnessing a slice of society. However, being part of the “fashion scene” felt distinct in that moment. I came to realize that, to me, it meant connecting and getting to know people who shared your passions and interests. I discovered that Dhosjan was a successful professional in the finance world, yet she had pursued her interest in fashion through her own creative and entrepreneurial endeavors. She was living her best life and regaling me with her love for handbags—how they conveyed a sense of being put together, especially when we may not feel it, and what they symbolized for women who had worked hard to attain success. Until then, I had never contemplated handbags in that light.

Indeed, this is what being in the scene meant for me—while I wasn’t the most fashionista of fashionistas to be in the room, nor was I a handbag aficionado, I truly understood this feeling of how a fashion piece can help to transform you. That is, can help you prepare to face the world but also allows you to express yourself in your own unique way.  It just takes one article of clothing to feel transformed. Everyone has their thing. It could be handbags, coats, sunglasses, or shows, or in my case, a beautiful lipstick, and you feel sure of yourself, even confident that you can be in the world and engage with it.

However, this newfound confidence was tested when later that evening I attended what was probably the most lavish fashion show of the week—the SABIRAH collection at the iconic Somerset House near the River Thames. This beautiful Art Gallery once served as the home for the Queen of England in the 17th century. The runway was a pink carpet that encircled an antique vanity table and mirror, with a grand harp positioned in the center of the room. As soon as the harpist began playing classical music, the models emerged adorned in luxurious satin gowns and structured coats. Standing in front of the runway, I was only a few inches away from them and could discern the high quality of the garments, which is what this brand is known for. Designer Deborah Latouche repurposes unused materials from high-end fashion houses in Italy that are otherwise discarded, using them to create her elevated modest fashion pieces. Although my insecurities briefly surfaced upon witnessing this exclusive show, I ultimately chose to embrace the Victorian fairytale vibes that surrounded me.

Day 5-6: Celebrating Diversity in Fashion

For my penultimate LFW day, I made plans to attend the Indonesia Now Fashion event at the Indonesian Embassy, a beautiful building located near the Strand. Before the show, I met up with Dhosjan to have a meal at the famous Dishoon restaurant in the Covent Garden district. There, we savored Indian cuisine with a modern twist. I was not only impressed with the food, but also with the warm and inviting ambiance, making it a perfect place to connect with new friends before heading to the show. Later, we took an Uber to the Indonesia Now show and met up with my friend Vita who was as fabulously dressed as the first day I met her.

The Indonesia Now event showcased a variety of designers, and I had the pleasure of meeting Linda Angrea from Buttonscarves shortly after witnessing her collection grace the runway. The Buttonscarves collection offered an intriguing perspective on modest wear, reveling in beautiful colors and headpieces.

To celebrate another successful evening and the meeting of friends, the three of us went over to the Savoy Hotel for a cocktail. The hotel, which is known for offering one of the most luxurious stays in London, is also known for providing a classy cocktail night at the American Bar. My London friends indulged this American girl by joining me there and we all enjoyed the crooning of a pianist while sipping our drinks. Who am I right now, I thought? I felt like I was one of the Expat characters from one of those Lost Generation novels of Americans living abroad.

For the last night, we all made plans to meet up at the Vanity Hub Africa show in the Chelsea district–it would be a night where we would celebrate and view the collections of many different designers within the African diaspora. I was lucky to get a front row seat at this show and get up close with the vibrant colors, feathers, and shimmery outfits that went down the runway. Between the different collections presented, there were a few words shared of what it meant to highlight these designers. There was pride in displaying the cultural heritage and tradition that were captured in these outfits, but also in showing how African designers are also in conversation with high fashion that is usually associated with European culture.

Critical Chica Takeaway: Express Yourself

Self-expression and one’s fashioning of oneself is achieved in many ways, and as someone who works in the field of diversity and inclusion, I was reminded just how important it is to create the space where many points of view expand our vision of what is beautiful and what is aspirational. If fashion is about creating these dreamscapes that allow people to be transported, then why wouldn’t we want a wide array of dreamscapes that can be inclusive of more people and their dreams of who they want to be?

For my bucket list birthday trip, I saw more than just beautiful clothes. I also saw a glimpse into the possibility of living a life with more vigor, authenticity, and imagination. Of living the dream. There was a brief moment, in between shows, when I confessed to my friend that I had made it to fashion week specifically to celebrate my 40th birthday. Her response was an assured and affirming, “it’s a fun club to be in,” as if I had been welcomed to the most important runway show of the week—my next chapter in life.