Aaron Esh had the best soundtrack at London Fashion Week
Curated by Lux Gillespie, the East London designer's Spring/Summer 2026 show was part runway, part gig - all London attitude.
Aaron Esh doesn’t just design clothes, he’s a master of mood. Expertly crafting a vibe that feels inseparable from the energy of London itself. And music is at the heart of it. For his Spring/Summer 2026 show, the soundtrack – curated by friend and collaborator Lux Gillespie – was as integral to the experience as the leather-trimmed wrap skirts and bias-cut jerseys, weaving sound and style into one seamless statement.
The playlist read like a love letter to London attitude. Some Velvet Morning by Primal Scream (an apt nod to Lux’s father, Bobby), Reverence by The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Witch by The Cult, plus more industrial electronic cuts like Canary Wharf Drift by bassvictim and Phantom by EsDeekid and Rico Ace.
Each track punctuated the runway with a knowing mix of grit and glamour, creating a sonic world where polished tailoring met underground energy. The result was a collection that radiated the grandiose indifference of a rockstar
Esh’s razor-sharp tailoring, supple leather trousers, and slinky, sheer tops exuded a confident, unshakable luxury. Where the glamour of body-baring gowns is grounded by his signature baseball caps (the cult accessory of East London). Sartorial apathy that upends the traditional rules of opulence.
Drawing on influences from 1930s couture and the precision of Savile Row tailoring, the collection fused heritage with contemporary cool. Suede MA-65 field jackets brought a utilitarian edge, designed to slip as effortlessly over a satin-trimmed tuxedo as over jeans and a T-shirt. Each look carried the lived-in texture and attitude of London’s streets.
The result is an elevated wardrobe, designed to layered, interpreted, and integrated into an existing closet with ease. The beauty lies in contradiction – polish paired with imperfection, structure softened by slouch, and precision balanced by spontaneity.
If we needed another reminder this was the show of the season, models came out with ‘ALL-ACCESS’ lanyard necklaces. Reinforcing the sense that Aaron Esh’s world is as much about community and experience as it is about clothes. It felt like a backstage pass to the city itself, a glimpse into the East London nightlife and creative circles that fuel his work.
The music wasn’t just background; it gave the models presence. An air of ownership over the clothes, as if they had wandered in wearing them rather than stepping into them. Aaron Esh’s real genius lies in creating aspiration – not for product, but for a way of life. And that way of life, with its effortless confidence and electric energy, is quintessentially London.