The festival opened on 3rd June with a Live Performance Showcase at Spitalfields Market, where fashion and movement collided in a spectacular fusion.

Alexander Whitley Dance Company led the evening with a captivating performance that combined live choreography and digital projection in new and unexpected ways. Stylist and creative director Kim Howells curated the runway, presenting a standout line-up: artist NOKI and designers Anciela, SABIRAH, Maximilian Raynor and Kitty Joseph. Their collections pushed creative boundaries, featuring striking prints, elegant silhouettes and upcycled materials.

DJ Mr. Redley provided the soundtrack, blending the deep grooves of Black American House with the raw intensity of Industrial Techno. The energy carried through to ALFI’s terrace for the official after-party – an evening of conversation, community and a shared excitement for London’s ever-growing fashion ecosystem.

Also part of the WATCH programme, IoDF presented ‘Raveconomy’ by OPIA, the winner of their inaugural Creators Fund. Taking place at Spitalfields Studio, the immersive exhibition explored London’s underground party girl scene, weaving together celebrity aesthetics, mukbang culture and the commodification of nightlife in a bold and provocative installation.

The GROW strand unfolded across two days and two evenings, inviting industry leaders to share insights into fashion’s future.

The week began with The New Norm: Accelerating Regenerative Fashion, hosted by VC firm Spin Ventures. This closed working session brought together brands, investors and founders committed to scaling innovation and reshaping the fashion value chain. Speakers included sustainability strategist François Souchet, Mary Fellowes of Greenwith Studios, Chelsea Franklin of PANGAIA and Professor Laurent Maeder.

On Friday, attention turned to circular design and sustainable textiles through a series of informal ‘sofa stories’. In Circular Design Practice, Laetitia Forst from UAL and Shailja Dube from the British Fashion Council’s Institute for Positive Fashion led thoughtful discussions on garment longevity, waste reduction and regenerative systems. Designer Patrick McDowell, Anna Foster, founder of E.L.V. Denim, and Philly Grogan and Amy Osgood of Nobody’s Child offered case studies and practical insights on embedding circularity at scale.

Later that day, Past and Future Fabrics, hosted by Mary Fellowes and Safia Minney MBE, examined how sustainable textiles can be developed and integrated into responsible sourcing. The conversation focused on traditional craftsmanship and regenerative production. Safia Minney was joined by climate activist Aditi Mayer to reflect on the cultural significance of traditional craftsmanship in the modern marketplace.

The session featured a dynamic lineup of innovators rethinking fabric production through methods that support both the environment and local communities: Idan Gal-Shohet (Fibe), Meredith Wood (Colour Earth), Sara Grady (British Pasture Leather), Felix Bartlett (Biothread), Brett Cotten (Arda Biomaterials), Harriet Fletcher-Gilhuys (Great British Wool Revival), Nelly Taheri (Ponda), Craig Smith (Positive Materials), and Clare Lichfield (Sequinova).