Victoria Leeds Fashion Week SS26 exclusive: What to wear right now from the John Lewis summer ranges

Fashion Week runs May 8–17 (fashion time, darlings - it's actually 10 days). Headlining is the Victoria Leeds Fashion Show on the evening of May 14, hosted by Michelle Eagleton within the impressive contemporary architecture of Victoria Gate.

It promises to be a spectacular journey through summer’s defining looks, bringing together key pieces from across Victoria Leeds’s fashion and accessories brands in one spectacular catwalk event and presenting this season’s Four Pillars of Style.

The Modern Minimalist theme is “polished, directional and effortlessly powerful”, characterised by clean lines, monochrome palettes and sharp tailoring, for looks designed for dynamic city living. “Think sculptural silhouettes, refined accessories and elevated essentials that transition seamlessly from business to evening,” says the Victoria Leeds team.

The Refined Bohemian pillar is described as “cultured, relaxed and elegantly bohemian”, blending neutral earth-toned palettes, linen layers and soft tailoring for ensembles that look and feel relaxed and luxurious.

“Inspired by travel, craftsmanship and natural materials, this pillar reflects understated affluence and quiet confidence.”

The Artful Expressionist is “confident, creative and unapologetically individual,” says the team. “Rich colour stories, bold prints and statement jewellery define this pillar - but always with intention. It is expressive rather than excessive; curated rather than chaotic. A celebration of personality through fashion.”

Finally, there is the Heritage Sophisticate pillar, which features timeless tailoring and classic silhouettes in heritage fabrics, reflecting British luxury and investment dressing from structured outerwear to fine jewellery, with more than a nod to country living alongside understated opulence.

Ticket sales will benefit women’s employment charity Smart Works which supports women across Yorkshire into work via its clothing and coaching for interview service.

This year’s Fashion Week will feature six Style Pods scattered across Victoria Quarter and Victoria Gate, running May 9–17, when visitors will be able to step inside immersive installations inspired by the world of fashion publishing, experiencing ideas and inspiration unfolding around them.

On Saturday, May 9, at John Lewis, there will be 20-minute bookable appointments called The Dressing Room With Laura Fawcett and Ruth Preston @wearitlikeruth.

These will offer life-changing, confidence-boosting, joy-bringing style guidance, first from Laura with an express colour analysis session, and then Ruth will share styling tips for a capsule wardrobe.

Between 1-2pm, there are walk-in spots available on a first-come, first-served basis.

There will be expert chat, too. Notes on Fashion Live will feature conversations on style, hosted by Michelle Eagleton, joined by Karen Williams, exploring personal style, evolving tastes, emerging fashion movements and building a wardrobe with intention, closing with a live audience Q&A.

To preview the week, the Yorkshire Post Magazine collaborated with Victoria Leeds and John Lewis Leeds on an exclusive fashion shoot, photographed by Yorkshire Post photographer James Hardisty, with models Mariana Kit and Wesley Branch.

Hair is by Chloe Wilson, founder of Roots and Kin salon in Leeds, and make-up is by Charlotte Tilbury at John Lewis. All the clothes are from John Lewis Leeds.

Heather Wigglesworth, Partners and Sponsorship Director for Chilled Agency, worked with the John Lewis and Victoria Leeds teams on styling the outfits for the shoot, which kicked off at The Cut & Craft restaurant.

She says: “A first look we are going for is Artful Expressionist, with this really fun, textured, bead bag, gorgeous paisley print Never Fully Dressed silk skirt. We’re going to mix it up with a really nice structured shirt.”

She adds that her favourite piece in the look is the John Lewis animal print slingback shoes. “They are adorable,” she says.

For Wes’s first outfit, the look is a more pared-back apporach. “We have gone minimalist with Labrum, which is a John Lewis very exciting partnership, so a nice modern take with fresh lines on this denim two-piece.”

The John Lewis x Labrum 35-piece collection is available at John Lewis Leeds. Labrum founder Foday Dumbuya says the partnership is about the meeting of cultures and craft. “Labrum has always told stories through clothing, and working with John Lewis has allowed us to expand that language beyond apparel into objects for everyday life.

"From the Nomoli to Adinkra symbols, each detail reflects heritage, movement and exchange, a reminder that when cultures come together, something beautiful is created."

So there are thoughtfully designed co-ords and separates for season after season, with tailoring is softer in neutral tones, while denim is reimagined as statement looks featuring patchwork patterns and oversized silhouettes.

John Lewis Leeds is one of the top performing UK stores for Topshop, launched last year. The best-selling product in the Leeds store so far is the Straight Maxi Skirt in Brown, £38. New summer pieces expected to trend include Lace Trim Shorts in Chartreuse, £36, the black and white Bandeau Neck Stripe Maxi Dress, £50, and a multi-coloured striped crochet shirt, £38, which has matching shorts.

There was jewellery and watches from Berry’s, picked out by designer Emily Holdich, who has developed many of in-house collections including, OPEIA, Verve and coloured stone pieces. Berry’s is Cartier’s Leeds partner.

Victoria Leeds comprises the Victoria Quarter Grade II-listed arcades of impressive Victorian buildings, including County Arcade and King Edward Street; and Victoria Gate, an award-winning, cutting-edge designed mall; and Sidney Street that connects them.

It is home to more than 85 top fashion and beauty boutiques and premium high street favourites, including John Lewis, Harvey Nichols, Anthropologie, Reiss, Molton Brown, Cos &;Other Stories, Mulberry, Vivienne Westwood, Louis Vuitton and Boodles.

It also houses popular bars, cafes and restaurants including The Ivy, The Ivy Asia, The Cut & Craft, Harvey Nichols Fourth Floor Brasserie, as well as the 24-hour Victoria Gate Casino.

The Fashion Show on May 14 starts at 7pm inside the Victoria Gate centre, outside John Lewis. Ticket sales go to support Victoria Leeds 2026 charity partner, Smart Works. Tickets £16.96, www.victorialeeds.co.uk