Style

9 London Fashion Week designers reveal the timeless investment pieces you need for SS26

The smartest thing you’ll wear in SS26? Style that sticks, by investing in pieces that you’ll wear for a lifetime. 

So, The Luxe Review went backstage at London Fashion Week to sit down with nine standout designers all showing at the annual fashion spectacular, and exclusively reveal their ultimate SS26 heroes: the wide-leg trousers that flatter everyone, the biker jacket that doubles as art, and the lace set made to be treasured. 

From Milan to Lagos, and Taipei to London, these are the looks rewriting the rulebook on timeless style. Consider this your cheat sheet to the ultimate fashion-forward wardrobe that’ll stand the test of time. 

Hu Bing

Hu Bing
Chinese megastar Hu Bing recommends wide leg trousers as a timeless piece / Credit: Hu Bing

As a supermodel, actor and designer, Chinese mega-star Hu Bing does it all. He’s one of China’s biggest celebrities and a global fashion ambassador. Celebrating a decade at London Fashion Week, he’s become known as a cultural bridge between East and West, championing Asian designers on the international stage.

If we were to invest in just one luxury piece this season, what should it be?
“Wide-leg trousers. They flatter all body types, pair perfectly with chunky shoes and a long belt, and remain timeless.”

What makes a piece timeless rather than trend-led?
“Strong structure, versatile design, and understated elegance that works across occasions.”

What’s your hero piece for SS26?
“A pair of chunky leather shoes. They work with suits, wide trousers, and shorts – bridging casual and formal. They’re versatile, timeless, and structured. I love the woven texture detail, which adds structure and dimensionality to the shoe. Unlike sneakers, they work in more formal contexts and won’t go out of style.”

How should we style them? 

“With high socks, wide trousers, jeans, or shorts. Owning both black and brown pairs covers all occasions.”


Agro Studio 

Agro Studio
The design duo behind Agro Studio recommend looking for “cut, construction, and fabric with integrity.” / Credit: Agro Studio

From Beyoncé to Yungblud and Lady Gaga’s tour, London-based bespoke design house Agro Studio have dressed icons around the world – before even making their Fashion Week show. Combining stage-ready spectacle with bold silhouettes, the new fashion house is already  cementing its reputation as the go-to studio for designs that make a statement.

If someone buys just one luxury piece this season, what should it be?
“The sheepskin aviator. Honest materials that age beautifully, adaptable from tailoring to track.”

What makes a piece timeless rather than trend-led?
“Cut, construction, and fabric with integrity. Above all, the way it makes you feel – when you feel good in it, a piece stays alive season after season.”

What’s your hero piece for SS26?
“Our bespoke tailored suit with high-waisted flares and sharp shoulders. It’s British suiting, cut and finished in our London atelier. It’s built to be worn hard and altered over time – every element stands alone. We’re especially proud of the sculpted high waist and long, clean leg line – architecture that lengthens without effort.”

How should people style it?
“With their long-time staples. Whether denim or crisp shirting, the suit slots in and elevates what they already own – formal or not.”

Apujan

Apujan dress
Apujan explains that a chic chiffon dress suits everyone / Credit: Apujan

No fashion show tells a story as much as Apujan – the Taiwanese designer of this eponymous label is a master of storytelling through fashion, weaving literature, fantasy, and Eastern influences into Western tailoring. His signature knitwear and dreamlike prints make his collections instantly recognisable – for pieces that look as much a work of art as ones we can’t wait to wear.

If someone buys just one luxury piece this season, what should it be?
“Our chiffon dress. We’ve produced this over multiple seasons, worn by people of different professions, with new patterns and details each season. It merges Eastern and Western aesthetics and suits various body types and occasions.”

What makes a piece timeless rather than trend-led?
“A piece becomes timeless when it prioritises cut, material, and brand story over seasonal trends.”

What’s your hero piece for SS26?
“Our men’s knitted vest. It pairs well with T-shirts, suits, or shirts – mixing preppy elements with subtle variations. It also resonates with APUJAN’s signature knitwear focus. The natural fiber yarn gives a wonderful touch and feel. It’s breathable while allowing intricate patterns to be woven.”

How should people style it?
“It’s versatile. What matters most is expressing your own personality through it.”

Nichoir

Nichoir
Nichoir’s Rorschach-inspired jacket is a hero piece for next year – and beyond / Credit: Nichoir

One of London’s most daring new voices, Nichoir is the brainchild of Romanian-born, London-based Nicolae-Vladut Radu, whose experimental tailoring and bold graphic references blur the line between art and fashion. Conceptual yet elegant, Nichoir’s designs are everything we want from high fashion. 

If someone buys just one luxury piece this season, what should it be?
“A perfectly tailored pair of shorts. It may sound simple, but the right pair will carry you through endless summers, day to night.”

What makes a piece timeless rather than trend-led?
“Shape, colour, and fabric. If those three are harmonious, the garment will outlast trends.”

What’s your hero piece for SS26?
“My biker jacket. It’s chic, structured, and draws inspiration from the Rorschach inkblot test — it embodies how people project their own ideas onto fashion, trends, and even life itself. It balances power and elegance. The tailoring makes it versatile, while the conceptual layer makes it a conversation piece. The symmetry of the ‘inkblot’ patterning in the design feels psychological, almost like every wearer will see something different in it. That makes it deeply personal. It’s not just a jacket, it’s a statement.”

How should people style it?
“It works across worlds with sharp trousers and a shirt for evening, or thrown over shorts and boots for day. The mandarin collar bow detail softens the toughness, so it shifts between masculine and romantic.”

La Toile

La Toile designer
La Toile’s high-end Italian craftmanship, hailing from Milan, makes for a timeless investment / Credit: La Toile

For couture-level craftsmanship with a modern sensibility, look no further than Milanese Milanese label La Toile. Specialising in intricate lacework and refined hand-finished details, each piece embodies the timeless allure of Made in Italy savoir-faire, and is crafted to last a lifetime.

If someone buys just one luxury piece this season, what should it be?
“A simple, impeccably tailored black cashmere coat: understated, versatile, and endlessly elegant.”

What makes a piece timeless rather than trend-led?
“We always encourage investing in pieces that transcend seasons — garments with a story, made with care and respect for both the environment and the artisans behind them.”

What’s your hero piece for SS26?
“Our hero piece from the Drop 02: Eternal Love collection is definitely the Essenza set. Entirely crafted in Milan by our seamstress, it embodies the values of Made in Italy savoir-faire. The Italian lace has been positioned and cut to create a unique visual effect across both the top and the skirt. To achieve this, our seamstress even had to unpick and re-sew the beads by hand, ensuring the fabric remained intact. It is not only unique and durable, but also carefully crafted to last a lifetime. We’re proud of the craftsmanship behind it. The level of care and attention required to enhance the beauty of the lace was immense, with hours of precise handwork invested into each piece. This meticulous process means the set is produced in extremely limited quantities, making it even more special.”

How should people style it?
“The set, when worn together, already makes a statement and requires minimal styling. Worn separately, the skirt can be paired with a simple, fitted black T-shirt for a contemporary look, while the top works beautifully with denim for a more casual approach, or with tailored black trousers for a sleek, sophisticated silhouette.”

Kaypee Footwears

Kaypee Footwears
A pair of woven derby shoes are great investment piece, says Kolapo Omoyoloye, the designer behind KaypeeFootwears / Credit: KaypeeFootwears

Each pair of shoes by Kaypee Footwears is a testament to heritage craftsmanship – designer Kolapo Omoyoloye fuses West African weaving techniques with European design and brings the luxe looks to a global stage. Showing as part of the UDGN Cultural Threads showcase at London Fashion Week, this is footwear that carries cultural meaning, design flare and elegance. 

If someone buys just one luxury piece this season, what should it be?
“A pair of Woven derby with art painting at the quarter side. They’re breathable, stylish, and rooted in tradition. Their timeless design ensures they’ll remain relevant for years.”

What makes a piece timeless rather than trend-led?
“Simplicity, quality, and purpose. When a piece is designed with intent and built to endure, it transcends seasonal trends.”

What’s your hero piece for SS26?
“The shrine boot. It’s a fusion of West African weaving techniques and modern European simplicity — a true cross-cultural statement. It’s handcrafted, ethically sourced, and designed to last. The materials tell a story of tradition, while the silhouette fits seamlessly into modern wardrobes. Its timeless silhouette, premium leather, and meditative craftsmanship. It’s not just a shoe — it’s a statement of intent I love the aso oke materials. They reflect discipline and clarity, values we believe modern men resonate with.”

How should people style them?
“With a navy suit for work, or jeans and a trench for weekend outings. It’s designed to anchor any outfit with quiet confidence, or even traditional wear. It’s versatile enough for both street style and ceremonial occasions.”

Midetush

Midetush
Midetush takes traditional Nigerian dress and weaving and reinterprets for contemporary silhouettes, for pieces that feel both current and classic. / Credit: Quiala Photo

Midetush reinterprets Nigerian ceremonial dress and artisanal weaving into bold, contemporary silhouettes. Showing with UDGN at London Fashion Week, the brand celebrates heritage while speaking directly to the modern man – every piece is both deeply rooted and deeply current.

If someone buys just one luxury piece this season, what should it be?
“Invest in tailored outerwear. A well-cut trucker jacket or coat anchors a wardrobe, as it can be styled endlessly, and becomes more characterful with time.”

What makes a piece timeless rather than trend-led?
“Timelessness is in the purity of the cut and the integrity of the fabric. Trends fade, but craftsmanship and design clarity will always endure.”

What’s your hero piece for SS26?
“The hero piece is called ‘Ilu L’Ojo’, meaning ‘City on a Bright Day’. It’s a vibrant, city-inspired look that celebrates the dialogue between heritage and modernity. At its core is an olive green grandad-collar popover shirt with cowrie buttons, paired with aso oke shorts with a frayed hem and a ceremonial-inspired oval hat with tassels and cowries. It’s rooted in tradition yet reimagined for today; a piece that feels both grounded and forward-looking. It’s a limited-edition piece crafted for longevity, not trend. Every element from the artisanal aso oke weave to the hand-applied cowrie details tells a story while remaining versatile enough to move with modern wardrobes.”

How should people style it?
“The shirt works beautifully with neutral tailored trousers and sandals for summer. The shorts pair effortlessly with a crisp white tee for a more casual vibe. Together, the set is bold, but styled separately, it becomes an adaptable wardrobe anchor.”

Itele

Itele loafers
Itele’s bee embroidered loafers just get better with age / Credit: Itele

Full of fun detail, meaning and cultural nods, Itele’s footwear merges craftmanship, storytelling and luxury detail – and these shoes are anything but ordinary. Spotlighted in LFW’s UDGN show, this is footwear designed to be noticed – and to keep forever. 

If someone buys just one luxury piece this season, what should it be?
“A pair of well-crafted leather loafers. Quality footwear doesn’t go out of style, and when handcrafted properly, it only gets better with age.”

What makes a piece timeless rather than trend-led?
“Simplicity, quality, and story. A timeless piece is versatile, durable, and carries meaning beyond the season. Trends fade, but culture and craftsmanship endure.”

What’s your hero piece for SS26?
“The Bee-embroidered loafer from our Freedom Collection. It captures the spirit of unity and leadership, while being versatile enough for modern styling. It’s handmade in genuine full-grain leather, embroidered with meaningful symbols, and produced in reasonable batches for exclusivity. It’s designed for style, comfort, and durability — a piece of history reimagined as fashion. Plus, the embroidery is  both intricate and meaningful, a reminder that craftsmanship and culture could coexist beautifully.”

How should people style it?
“With well-tailored loose fit trousers and a linen shirt for a clean summer look, or with wide-leg pants and a blazer for a bolder fashion-forward statement.”


INF

INF
INF’s pieces don’t follow trends, the designer tells us – but combines retro styling with futuristic detail for something of a unique era altogether / Credit: INF

Taiwanese label INF’s latest SS26 collection twists retro nostalgia into futuristic streetwear, blending 1980s power silhouettes with avant-garde details and high-tech fabrics. The result is bold, boundary-pushing fashion that feels rebellious – yet wearable. 

If someone buys just one luxury piece this season, what should it be?
“The sportive jacket. We deconstructed sports element and avant-garde together, so it’s a sweet sports jacket and also very staring out personality.”

What makes a piece timeless rather than trend-led?
“Most of INF’s item is timeless. When I designed I don’t really considering the massive trends. I just simply want to make one piece worth being cherished and can be possess value that beyond one garment, it’s more like a craftsmen spirits I guess.”

What’s your hero piece for SS26?
“The windbreaker jacket. The orange and black coordinate is showing not only the retro and the future vibe. And, as it rains a lot in London, this piece is definitely very daily useable for someone trying to stay trendy and also waterproof.”

How should people style it?
“The things about this jacket is easy coordinate, one could wear it just as a simple jacket but with many low-key details.”

London Fashion Week runs September 18 – 22 2025.

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