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Raf Simons will show his Spring/Summer 2023 collection in London on 13 October during Frieze, the Belgian designer has announced — adding to a growing fashion frenzy around the contemporary art fair.
Simons originally intended to show during London Fashion Week but followed Burberry in postponing after the death of Queen Elizabeth II was announced (Burberry showed its SS23 collection today in London). His decision to show during Frieze will draw attention to the already buzzy fair, which has built a reputation for bringing luxury, fashion and art together, and is benefitting this year from the cancellation of LFW parties and launches during the period of national mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth on 8 September.
“London has such a depth and breadth of talent in both art and fashion it’s no surprise that these worlds are getting ever closer,” says Frieze commercial director Emily Glazebrook. “Frieze has always put creatives in the midst of its fairs — of course artists are at the heart of this, but we like to extend our reach to designers, writers and filmmakers, too.”
Several other events that had been planned for LFW have been rescheduled to coincide with Frieze, which runs from 12-16 October. Prada has rearranged the global launch party for its new fragrance Prada Paradoxe to 13 October during Frieze. On the same day, luxury skincare brand Noble Panacea and Roksanda are co-hosting a dinner, and Tank’s Caroline Issa is hosting a cocktail reception with new fashion brand Maktoub. Accessories brand By Far is planning an event on 12 October to promote its new fragrance.
Meanwhile, Matchesfashion is renewing its partnership with Frieze. From 10-15 October, its Mayfair retail space will host a preview of Simons’s collaboration with textile company Kvadrat; a fine jewellery pop-up from Nadine Ghosn and Michmatch; and a curated café by Michele Lamy with a bespoke menu by Les Deux Cafe chef Isis Neal.
Frieze was founded in 2003 by Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotver and takes place every October in London’s Regent’s Park. Sister fair Frieze Masters coincides with it, focusing on artwork from pre-2000, while Frieze London shows work mostly created after 2000. Fashion and beauty industry heavyweights including Simons, Molly Goddard, Isamaya Ffrench and Campbell Addy have attended previous editions in London.
Frieze Seoul, which took place on 2-5 September, was also big for luxury brands. Bottega Veneta hosted an event, Chanel premiered a video series spotlighting Korean artists, and Saint Laurent showcased Korean artist Lee Bae’s work in its Seoul flagship during the fair. Paris’s Art Basel, which is taking place 20-23 October, is also expected to be a big opportunity for luxury brands.
“A number of our luxury fashion brand partners have become central to the quintessential Frieze experience: Matchesfashion supports us globally with a dedicated programme of unmissable events and activations from London to New York to Los Angeles,” says Frieze’s Glazebrook. “More recently we’ve started working with Saint Laurent, whose Lee Bae installation at Frieze Seoul received so much critical acclaim, as well as Chanel, with whom we produced a series of videos by Korean artists to celebrate Frieze Week.”
The British Fashion Council said October would be a “city-wide celebration” of fashion, compensating for the cancellation of any non-essential LFW events, such as parties and launches. Exact details have not yet been confirmed.
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