London fashion – A hedonistic mix of many subcultures and styles. Alongside New York, Milan and Paris, London has always excelled in being one of the world’s leading fashion hubs. From smartly dressed businessmen and women making up the majority of the rush hour attire on the Tube, to a more Bohemian and ‘individual’ look, London’s unique fashion diversity says a lot about the city’s makeup.

Take a look at the evolution of London fashion; some of the styles London has fronted during the last six decades.

The swinging sixties

In the youth movement that emphasised the innovative, daring and modern, London was the place to be. In fact it was in London where the hedonism and the cultural revolution of the Swinging Sixties flourished, with the concept Swinging Sixties becoming synonymous with Swinging London.

Mod fashion statements dominated the London fashion of the revolutionary era, epitomised through mini skirts, heavy eye makeup, Jean Shrimpton and Mary Quant. Throughout the sixties, London’s Carnaby Street and King’s Road swung the flag for being the most fashionable places in Britain to shop.

Eighties Punk

With Mohican haircuts dyed bright pink and purple, piercings in the most squeamish of places imaginable and ripped jeans, leather jackets and lace, the punk movement of the 1980s was led predominantly by the British capital.

The London punk scene during this decade was thriving with the likes of the Sex Pistols, the Clash and the Fades crafting an intense punk gig circuit in London’s many underground venues.

Grunge and the 90s

By the late 80s and early 90s grunge was taking over from punk and, unlike its youth subculture predecessor, grunge could be described as being an ‘anti-fashion’. Like the rebellious sub-cultures that went before it, grunge and those who followed it were making a statement, which could be seen explicitly on the streets of London, where clumsy boots and a messy swamp of blacks, indigos and browns, were never far away. 

Today

Part of London’s unique appeal and attraction is that creativity, individuality and eccentricity thrives in the city, particularly when it comes to fashion.

Today a hedonistic mix of all the London fashions and subcultures mentioned above are visible, augmenting the uniqueness and diversity of one of the world’s leading fashion hubs.