London Fashion Week (LFW) opened on Thursday under new leadership, with the hope of marking the beginning of a new era for British fashion. After 16 years at the helm, Caroline Rush stepped aside earlier this year, leaving Laura Weir, former creative director of Selfridges and Vogue journalist, with the task of reviving an event long considered the boldest of the four global fashion weeks.

The timing could not be more critical. In recent years, many marquee names have drifted towards the more lucrative and star-packed schedules of Milan, Paris and New York, leaving London struggling with relevance. Rising costs have further squeezed young designers, once the lifeblood of its avant-garde reputation.

"This season marks the beginning of a new era for British fashion," Weir told AFP ahead of

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