Fabric, Fashion & Fresh Ideas: What to See in London This Summer
Let’s be honest, some of the best design research doesn’t happen behind a desk. It happens when you’re out in the world, seeing things up close, getting inspired by colour, texture, and creativity in real life.
This summer, London is full of brilliant exhibitions and events — from iconic fashion retrospectives to floral installations, textile fairs, and sustainability showcases. Whether you’re building a collection, hunting for fresh ideas, or just need a creative reset, here’s our go-to list to get your imagination flowing.
The Gianni Versace Retrospective
📍 Arches London Bridge
📅 16 July – 31 August 2025
Over 450 original pieces from 21 collections, featuring designs worn by Princess Diana, Naomi Campbell, and Kate Moss. A must-see for lovers of fashion, glamour, and 90s maximalism.
-
Tomorrow’s Wardrobe
📍 The Design Museum
📅 Until August 2025
Sustainability, but make it stylish. This show explores what’s next for fashion — with innovative work from Stella McCartney, Phoebe English and more.
-
Splash: A Century of Swimming and Style
📍 The Design Museum
📅 Until 31 August 2025
Dive into a century of swimming history and style. This exhibition explores how swimwear has evolved from practical to fashion statement, with highlights including vintage bathing suits, iconic designers, and the influence of swim culture on broader fashion trends.
-
Textiles: The Art of Mankind
📍 Fashion and Textile Museum
📅 28 March – 7 September 2025
A deep dive into the global story of textiles — how they’ve shaped people, culture and creativity across time.
-
Design and Disability
📍 V&A South Kensington
📅 From 7 June 2025
Celebrating the creative contributions of Disabled, Deaf, and neurodivergent designers — past and present. A powerful rethink of what inclusive design really looks like.
-
Flowers – Flora in Contemporary Art & Culture
📍 Saatchi Gallery
📅 30 May – 31 August 2025
Massive floral installations, digital art, and fashion photography all under one roof. Expect suspended gardens and immersive colour stories.
🔗 See more
-
Fleurs de Villes: Downton Abbey
📍 Kew Gardens
📅 22 September – 1 October 2025
Downton Abbey characters reimagined in fresh flowers. It’s dramatic, dreamy, and very Instagrammable.
Fabric Fairs & Sourcing Events
These are great for students, independents, and anyone looking to get hands-on with beautiful materials (plus: free samples, industry contacts, and lots of inspo).
TexPremium – London Luxury Fabric Fair
📍 Business Design Centre, Islington
📅 17–18 June 2025
A high-end sourcing event focused on luxury fabrics and accessories — perfect if you're developing a capsule collection or working on small-batch production. Great for discovering new suppliers and future materials.
-
New Designers
📍 Business Design Centre, Islington
📅 2–5 July
One of the UK’s biggest showcases of graduate design talent. From textiles and fashion to product, illustration, and interiors, this is where you’ll spot the future of design before it hits the mainstream.
-
Tex+
📍 Business Design Centre, London
📅 17-18 July
Tex+ focuses on tech-driven materials, innovation, and future fabrics. Think smart textiles, digital printing, and sustainable breakthroughs — perfect for forward-thinking designers.
-
The London Textile Fair
📍 Business Design Centre, London
📅 2–3 September 2025
One of the biggest textile trade fairs in Europe — with suppliers covering everything from silks and prints to trims and tech fabrics.
-
Textile Forum
📍 One Marylebone, London
📅 14–15 October 2025
Focused on low-minimum luxury fabrics (hello, small-batch production). Think British wools, organic cottons, and specialist suppliers.
Ready to Get Inspired?
Design doesn’t just happen in studios — it starts with seeing, exploring, and asking questions. These events are a chance to connect with ideas, materials, and communities shaping the future of design.
Plan your visits. Take sketchbook notes. Snap references. Talk to people. And most importantly enjoy yourselves!