Athletes Turn Fashion Front-Row Stars at Burberry's 170th Anniversary Show

Olympic athletes Keely Hodgkinson and Katarina Johnson-Thompson traded their athletic gear for high fashion on Monday, gracing the front row at the Burberry Spring/Summer 2027 catwalk show during London Fashion Week. The duo, known for their prowess on the running track, attended the event at the Chelsea College of Art, marking a prominent moment for sports figures at the prestigious fashion event.

Hodgkinson, fresh off an 800-meter victory and a £50,000 prize win, opted for a stylish satin shirt that showcased her toned midriff. Johnson-Thompson also embraced a chic aesthetic. Both athletes were photographed in fashionable suits, complemented by matching Burberry handbags, highlighting their transition from sportswear to the haute couture scene.

The Burberry show served as a significant milestone, coinciding with the brand's 170th anniversary. The collection presented was curated by Burberry's Chief Creative Officer, Daniel Lee. This year's London Fashion Week, organized by the British Fashion Council, ran from Thursday, September 17, to Monday, September 21, focusing on the upcoming spring/summer 2027 collections.

In conjunction with the anniversary, a new free exhibition, 'The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon,' opened at the V&A Museum. The exhibition, running until January 3, 2027, chronicles the history of the iconic Burberry trench coat, from its origins in practical outerwear and military attire to its status as a global fashion symbol.

Other notable attendees at London Fashion Week included fellow British runner Dina Asher-Smith, model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Iris Law, Gemma Chan, and actors Stephen Graham and his wife Hannah. The week also featured other high-profile shows, such as Alexander McQueen, which drew celebrities like Emma Corrin and Emilia Clarke, and the debut of Marks & Spencer, attended by Joan Collins and Katherine Jenkins.