What to look out for, from newcomers Barbara Casasola and Claire Barrow to Manolo Blahnik's LFW debut
JW Anderson
The buzziest young designer on the schedule, thanks to a fortuitously timed rumour, which emerged this week, that the powerhouse luxury stable LVMH is considering making the Dalston-based designer an investment offer he can't refuse. Whether or not Anderson follows in the footsteps of Christopher Kane – whose label recently joined the Kering stable – his show on Saturday afternoon is sure to be packed to the rafters.
Barbara Casasola
Brazilian-born and Central Saint Martins trained, Casasola is a hotly tipped newcomer to the London fashion week schedule. She learned her way around a seriously sexy frock with two years as Roberto Cavalli's right-hand woman, and has since been working in Paris for Lanvin and See by Chloé. She is shortlisted for the prestigious Dorchester Collection fashion prize, which will be announced in October.
Manolo Blahnik
Bath's best-shod resident, Manolo Blahnik, has designed shoes in the UK for over four decades – but this week marks his debut on the London fashion week schedule. On Sunday, he will host a screening of a short film starring his latest collection of sublimely elegant shoes.
Claire Barrow, Ashley Williams and Ryan Lo
Lulu Kennedy's Fashion East stable has a blue chip pedigree as the nursery slopes on which British fashion's most talented, most fun and most original names pick up speed before hitting the big time. Claire Barrow's hand-painted leather jackets are currently an in-crowd favourite among the fashion industry.
Burberry
The Burberry catwalk formula is simple. Pack the catwalk with supermodels, cram the front row with stellar celebrities, style the collection into slick, trend-focused looks which gain traction at fashion's street level, add a heartstring-tugging soundtrack of Christopher Bailey's latest singer-songwriter favourites – and finish with a flourish of technical wizardry. Burberry are collaborating with Apple this season, with photos and video from the catwalk and backstage being shot on the new iPhone 5S, four days before it goes on sale.