LONDON — Members of the British fashion community gathered at 10 Downing Street after the Burberry show Monday to meet and greet Keir Starmer, Britain’s new Labor prime minister.

Speaking in front of a room of well-known faces – Christopher Bailey, Naomi Campbell, Sadiq Khan, Paul Smith, Simone Rocha, Christopher Kane, Erdem Moralıoğlu, David Koma, Zandra Rhodes, Stephen Jones, Hu Bing, Foday Dumbaya, David Gandy and more — Starmer recognized the impact of the British fashion industry, which directly contributes 28.9 billion pounds to GDP and employs more than 800,000 people nationwide, as well as significantly contributing to the soft power and reputation of the U.K., according to the British Fashion Council.

The BFC used the opportunity to introduce the sector’s priorities to the new government and maximize the potential momentum that a change in government can offer the industry.

David Pemsel, chair of the BFC, praised the government’s current support for initiatives such as BFC Newgen, the London Fashion Week‘s international guest program, and contribution to its sustainability programs.

But he also contended that the support shouldn’t stop at funding. He asked for a stronger, strategic relationship that “can help break down trading barriers with the EU, grow markets overseas and improve the business environment at home.”

He emphasized the five priorities for the government that have been created in consultation with the fashion community for the general election.

They are: Restore VAT-free shopping and reform business rates to boost growth in the fashion retail sector; greater trade and export investment for U.K. fashion designers; support the fashion education sector with a commitment to STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics — not STEM; develop a new generation of businesses and skilled workers in the fashion sector through supporting the BFC Newgen scheme and foundation, and introduce legislation to activate sustainable business practices to meet decarbonization and net-zero targets.

“By working with us to deliver on these priorities, we are confident that, as a sector, we can show a strong return on that investment and partnership, kickstart growth, promote opportunity and access for all, and continue to lead, both creatively and commercially,” said Pemsel, adding that London Fashion Week is a significant platform for designers and a major cultural moment for the U.K.

Caroline Rush, chief executive officer at the BFC, also argued that the fashion industry can help deliver the Labor government’s manifesto for growth and enterprise, and deepen its contribution to the economy through “a strong and collaborative partnership” with the government.

“Together we can unlock opportunities for both independent businesses and our leading brands, which in turn will create employment throughout the U.K.,” she said, adding that the BFC would like to partner to deliver accessible low-cost finance for fashion businesses that makes it attractive to ‘crowd in’ private capital.

“And, of course, we’d like to partner on a way to demonstrate the value and opportunity in retail tourism with tax incentives that will not just deliver growth, but attract inward investment to the U.K.,” Rush said.

“It means a great deal to be at No.10 and for you to recognize the importance of our industry and the role of London Fashion Week on the world stage. The U.K. fashion industry is known for creative excellence and as we have seen this fashion week, we deliver on this reputation,” she added.

Rush pointed out that more than 5,000 designers have shown on the schedule of London Fashion Week since its birth in 1984.

“Today marks the end of London Fashion Week, of our 40th-year celebrations, and it has been exceptional. Designers from different backgrounds and cultures brought their personal stories to life, spotlighting their diverse communities and enabling us all to step into their worlds and be uplifted by their points of view. It has been five days of an unapologetic explosion of creativity and commerce that is like no other,” she said.

Following the reception, guests including Campbell, Rocha, Moralıoğlu and Koma headed to a dinner at The Standard to celebrate the launch of celebrity stylist Law Roach’s book “How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence.”

Campbell, donning a look fresh off the spring 2025 runway from Roksanda Ilinčić, introduced Law to the guests, and said, “He is a very special human being who reinvents every day as unapologetically as who he is. I want to say congratulations on this book. I got my copy. We are all behind you. We are all proud of you.”

The crowd then moved on to the London Fashion Week 40th anniversary party at the Kensington Roof Gardens, held in partnership with Burberry.

Hundreds waited outside. Even Edward Enninful, who arrived just about an hour after the party started with Emma Weymouth, Joel Edgerton and Christine Centenera, struggled to get in.

The door eventually opened up to all after key guests including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Sadiq Khan, as well as friends of Burberry — Bright, Skepta, A$AP Nast, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Lucky Blue Smith, Jourdan Dunn, Jodie Turner-Smith, Kano and Ed McVey — arrived.

It was not only a night to celebrate what the British fashion industry has achieved in the past four decades, but also a petri dish for new ideas.

While Lee hosted the party for his celebrity friends, Burberry’s new chief executive officer Joshua Schulman, and chief marketing officer Jonathan Kiman, spent the night meeting some of the best young talents the city has to offer and exchanged ideas with senior executives from Jimmy Choo, Self-Portrait and LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.