London Fashion Week (LFW) 2025 delivered a striking contrast in style, with Paul Costelloe and Bora Aksu presenting collections that could not be more different in mood, color palette, and inspiration.
Paul Costelloe: 1960s California Glam
Paul Costelloe’s Boulevard of Dreams collection transported the runway to sun-soaked streets of 1960s California. Pastel short dresses, bold floral prints, and platform shoes created a playful, retro tone, while flared silhouettes and light fabrics added movement and whimsy.
Accessories were minimal, letting vibrant prints and soft pastels take center stage. Costelloe’s collection radiated optimism and playful sophistication, offering a feel-good, uplifting energy that felt perfectly attuned to the season’s mood.
Bora Aksu: Beauty in Imperfection
In contrast, Bora Aksu explored darker, introspective themes inspired by his personal collection of broken dolls. His runway featured layered lace dresses, intricate embroidery, frills, and bonnet-style hats that celebrated imperfection and vulnerability.
The collection merged Victorian and contemporary influences into a hauntingly romantic presentation, turning each garment into a wearable narrative. Critics praised Aksu for evoking emotion and poetic melancholy, highlighting fashion’s storytelling potential.
A Study in Contrasts
The juxtaposition of Costelloe’s sunlit glamour with Aksu’s reflective, slightly gothic sensibility underscored LFW’s reputation for diverse creativity. Audiences experienced two very different emotional journeys: carefree optimism and poignant beauty, both leaving lasting impressions.
Fashion insiders lauded both designers for staying true to their signature aesthetics while pushing seasonal boundaries. “Costelloe brought joy and levity; Aksu offered a poetic exploration of imperfection,” noted one commentator.
Celebrating Creativity at LFW
As London Fashion Week continues to highlight emerging and established talent, the collections of Paul Costelloe and Bora Aksu remind audiences of fashion’s power to evoke emotion, tell stories, and celebrate contrasts on the runway.
