Rebuilt since Edward Seymour, the self–titled Lord Protector and Duke of Somerset, erected a grand mansion in 1547, the classical Victorian wings spread both north and south from the central clock tower. Inside, the huge white and sky blue Nelson spiral staircase winds it ways up through three floors of art exhibitions, films, photo shoots and interior tours of secret spaces.
Many of London Fashion Week’s presentations will be held in the elegance of the Portico Rooms. These rooms are floored with glossy wooden boards dressed with little round tables covered with purple tablecloths – very Autumn/Winter ‘09. White vases and fresh flowers sit on pillars, canvases of silhouetted landscapes hang on the vast wall spaces and the balconies and expansive windows flood the rooms with natural light to mix the neoclassical and the contemporary.
The Natural History Museum
Two floors of the museum and specially constructed pavilions exhibited delights from the big names of fashion during London Fashion Week back in February 2006.
If pampering your wardrobe with the likes of Lulu Guinness and Juicy Couture wasn’t enough, a Toni & Guy salon treated your split ends (we’re not all as preened as Posh) and the Moet & Chandon bar piled on the pounds – onto the Gold Card, that is.
The Natural History Museum is famous for its dinosaur collection (although they're not as bony as the models of London Fashion Week...) and its ornate architecture.
The whole length of the building, but especially the Cromwell Road entrance with its twin towers, is beautifully imposing. Designed by Gibbs and Canning Limited in 1881, the ornate terracotta facade is typical of high Victorian architecture and the mouldings are symbolic of both the past and present diversity of nature.
Earlier this month our news team highlighted the architectural triumph of the
museum's new Darwin centre. The centre is an evolution of modern architecture with glass and metal surrounding a cacoon of concrete.
Battersea Park
Even the dragons of fashion have to obey planning permission. In February 2005, Battersea Park hosted London Fashion Week due to a ruling which made the Duke of York Square illegal for the event. This proved to be quite unpopular, especially as many tube lines were closed, quelle surprise.
Two hundred acres of Battersea greenery opened in 1858 as a market area and popular duelling site. After a £1 million overhaul in 2004, the park and its rebuffed black and white Guinness Clock (designed by Jan Le Witt and George Him), bandstand and Peace Pagoda were pristine enough to welcome the crème de la crème of the fashion world.
The Duke of York Square
London Fashion Week arrived in the Duke of York’s main square throughout 2004 before planning permission – an annoyance to the average Joe as well as high profile events and celebrities such as Cliff Richard – wedged its spiked heel into proceedings.
Normally a haven from the bustle of King’s Road, London Fashion Week would then descend in all its diva demanding, high–fashion, showcasing excitement.
The Square was designed by landscape architect Elizabeth Banks Associates who created a spatial and visually ordered sanctum – the perfect catwalk. The space is defined by carefully placed trees and shrubs which inject colour into the surrounding stone benches and paving.
And for all those who can’t afford the latest collections from Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson or Alexander McQueen at London Fashion Week, you can treat yourself to Zara or Joseph in the retail quarter centred around the urban square.
Got all you want to know about London Fashion Week’s interior design history? Why not read all about the upcoming London Design Festival. We have exclusive interviews with the hottest designers, both emerging and established.
Can’t afford the designer price tags? We hear you. Delve into our brilliant sales pages and bargain–bursting outlet for discounts of at least 40%. And our fabulous Deal of the day always has an exciting, seasonable goody that will treat your fashion cravings and your purse.
