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The Fashion-Editor Guide to London: The Best Hotel, the Buzziest Spots, and What to Wear

February 28, 2024

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The Fashion-Editor Guide to London: The Best Hotel, the Buzziest Spots, and What to Wear

For editors, fashion month is always a highlight of the year—a moment to see runway shows up close, preview what is new and next in fashion, and chat with other people in fashion about their thoughts on what is unfolding. This season, I attended London Fashion Week, and the fall 2024 collections were full of experimentation among young designers and a much-discussed changing of the guard with Daniel Lee taking the helm at Burberry. Lee showed his third collection for Burberry, which had strong outerwear; JW Anderson and Simone Rocha were some of the most talked-about shows of the season; and Erdem and Emilia Wickstead stunned with their beautiful shows.

Aside from seeing the new collections, fashion month gives me an excuse to put together new outfits to wear to the shows. My approach this season revolved around great outerwear, mixed with some of the essentials already sitting in my closet, so that’s exactly what I packed and brought to the Rosewood London hotel, which was my home base while I was in town. Ahead, see my fashion-editor guide to London, including the places I visited and everything I wore.

Where to Stay

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

The Rosewood London Hotel

During fashion week this season, I called the Rosewood London home—a beautiful hotel that is one of my favorites in the world. The hotel is housed in an Edwardian manor with a grand courtyard and traditional-meets-modern interiors finished with moulded walls and glossy floors. Smartly dressed bellhops greet guests upon arrival, and the rooms are outfitted with plush striped carpet floors, velvet seating, fresh flowers, and bedding so indulgent I inquired about the vendors. Beyond the gorgeous design, the impeccable service and attention to detail set it apart. Thoughtful elements such as pillowcases monogrammed with my initials offered special touches that instantly made me feel at home and planning to return on my next (and every) visit back to London.

Where to Go

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Chiltern Firehouse

The restaurant at Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone is always one of my first stops in London. The beautiful indoor-outdoor space draws a great crowd, and I always return for the excellent tuna tartare and fresh shellfish.

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Air Mail Newsstand

I’ve always been drawn to shops with great magazines and books. The Air Mail newsstand just across the street from Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone is always worth a visit.

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Marchesi 1824

Marchesi 1824 is an Italian bakery owned by Prada. Fashion insiders flock to its location in Milan for fine pastries, chocolates, and sweets, but there is also an outpost in London on Mount Street.

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Scarfes Bar

Named one of the world’s 50 best bars, Scarfes Bar lives up to its reputation. The clubby spot has handcrafted cocktails and bar snacks, served up by waiters in tailored suiting. It’s conveniently located at the Rosewood London, so it’s a go-to spot to meet up with fashion people between shows.

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

The Row

I’ve been considering purchasing the Margaux bag from The Row, so I headed to the London store to see it in person. Even if you’re just window-shopping, it’s worth visiting to see the James Turrell artwork at the entrance.

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Jamavar

A fine-dining Indian restaurant in Mayfair, Jamavar is a spot I always visit in London. It has become a tradition to visit on the last night of London Fashion Week with other U.S. editors who are in town.

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Mount St. Restaurant

The space at Mount St. Restaurant brings together modern takes on traditional British food with noteworthy décor and art. Works from artists such as Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse, and Lucian Freud are hung throughout the space.

What to Wear

(Image credit: @noorunisa)

Nour Hammour designs gorgeous outerwear, and I built this look around the brand’s Birthday Coat—a reversible piece finished with shearling on one side and suede on the other. This season, I’ve invested in outfits that pair chocolate brown with black, so I test-drove the color combination again here by layering a black turtleneck and jeans with the brown coat, sunglasses, and bag.

Nour Hammour

Birthday Coat

Citizens of Humanity

Zurie Straight in Stormy

Jacques Marie Mage

Grand Prix Aviator Acetate Sunglasses

Bottega Veneta

Mini Andiamo Crossbody Bag

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

I recently discovered the brand Saison and immediately wanted to add the its faux-fur jacket into my London Fashion Week looks. The jacket is finished with taupe faux fur and lined with an incredible soft suede. Here, I paired it with an organza top and tailored trousers.

Saison

Louise Faux Fur Jacket in Cocoa

The Frankie Shop

Gelso Pleated Woven Wide-Leg Trousers

LIÉ STUDIO

The Ingrid Silver Earrings

The Row

90’s Leather Top Handle Bag

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

I picked up this satin trench coat from Khaite last year and have been waiting for a time to wear it. The Burberry runway show felt like the right moment. I wanted to wear it with black tights but didn’t have a pair that were the right level of sheer, so I went to Calzedonia to pick up the pair I always spot celebrities such as Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber wearing. They were exactly what I was looking for and pulled the look together.