Building What Comes Next: How Paris Runway Official Is Investing in Fashion’s Future

At Dartmouth House in Mayfair, Fashion Represents and Paris Runway Official brought independent designers into the spotlight for a sold-out London Fashion Week showcase attended by editors and fashion media from across Europe, including representatives from Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Grazia and Glamour.

By Brit Olivia

On September 18, London Fashion Week became a meeting point for very different creative perspectives. From Afghan craftsmanship and Italian couture to reclaimed textiles, Indian artistry and independent international design, the runway demonstrated exactly why emerging talent remains an important part of London’s fashion identity.

What is the point of these shows? To continue building and supporting what the British Fashion Council began in 2025 – repairing London’s fashion scene and building future generations.

Paris Runway Official and Fashion Represents brought together designers, beauty teams, producers, stylists, photographers, and others to invest in London’s future. What we saw next was more than an investment; it was real talent. It was art. It was designers showcasing a vision that became a reality.

Meet the emerging talent coming out of London.

Aql&Nafs: Afghan Heritage, Reimagined

Founded by Afghan twin sisters, Aql&Nafs is a London-based luxury label bringing Afghan heritage into contemporary fashion. With a particular focus on the iconic Afghan coat, the brand works with women artisans in Afghanistan to preserve traditional craftsmanship while creating meaningful employment opportunities. Its London runway placed that heritage before a new international audience.

Riccardo Longo: Italian Craft Meets London Creativity

Riccardo Longo approaches clothing as wearable art. Designed in London and handcrafted in Italy, his work combines couture techniques with experimental silhouettes, rich textiles and references spanning theatre, historical costume and contemporary culture. For Longo, modern luxury is less about logos and more about craftsmanship, imagination and individuality.

Fiona Troy: Giving Fabric Another Story

Irish contemporary womenswear designer Fiona Troy finds inspiration in nostalgia, forgotten heirlooms and the histories hidden within fabric. By transforming vintage and reclaimed textiles into contemporary garments, Troy connects clothing with memory and identity – proving that something from the past can have an entirely new future.

Priyal Doshi Couture: Fashion With a Voice

Created by fashion designer, Doctor of Physical Therapy, MBA and wellness advocate Dr. Priyal Doshi, Priyal Doshi Couture combines Indian artistry with contemporary luxury. Having presented internationally, Doshi also uses fashion to bring attention to causes including women’s empowerment, body positivity and support for survivors of violence.

Fashion Sandy by Sandhya: An Independent Vision Goes Global

Fashion Sandy by Sandhya brought another international independent voice to the Mayfair runway. For founder Sandhya Rani Nayak, London Fashion Week represented another opportunity to introduce her creative identity to a wider audience and continue building the brand beyond borders.

Other designers featured by Fashion Represents included House of Byzantium (@byzantium_fashion), Dani Tabios and Millie Jane (@daelarta and @milliejanefashion), as well as Isali Tharinka and Irosha Croos. The program also featured The People’s Catwalk, alongside a special guest performance.

VIP Experiences for Models & Guest

Paris Runway Team provided gift bags for models and guests that included products from Molly Sims YISE Beauty, Misfits Protein Bars, LOVE CORN and the book Soul Couture™: Your Inner Runway to Remember Who You Are, by Andreea Oana Serban who is a psychologist, CBT-trained therapist, author, lawyer and fashion designer. Wrapping Pond provided the elegant, high quality goody bags.

London’s Next Chapter

Different designers. Different perspectives. One sold-out room in Mayfair.

Together, the presentations reflected what Fashion Represents and Paris Runway Official set out to support: a London fashion scene where independent designers from different cultures and creative backgrounds have the opportunity to be seen, photographed, covered and remembered.

And not only designers, but also London’s talent in fashion and media. From @Glow_by_elenadragomir (Head of Hair & Makeup) bringing over 20 members for hair and makeup, camera crews from all over London attending, editors from the top magazines, stylist, reporters, sound and lighting teams, sponsors and others… Paris Runway Offiical focused on investing in what comes after the sold out event – it focused on tomorrows future.

Because London’s next fashion story won’t be built by one aesthetic or one name. It will be built by making room for what comes next.