Jimmy Paul x Pokémon: LFW AW2026

SøEdited Team
Article: Lucy Ashburner
SøEditor-in-Chief: Chris Saint Sims 
​SøFashion Director: Savannah Barthorpe

It’s a miserable evening in Shoreditch - the temperature has dropped and London has treated us to sudden downpour of rain. However, upon stepping into Protein Studios, we’ve been transported to another place entirely, as the venue is filled with bright colour and a cheerful atmosphere - a far cry from the doom and gloom outside. 
 
This comes with good reason - it’s night three of London Fashion Week, and the time has finally arrived for the highly anticipated JimmyPaul x Pokémon show. Upon entering, the joyfully dressed guests are greeted by mannequins adorning JimmyPaul’s line with Difuzed - a brand where pop culture meets streetwear - that has been produced alongside the clothes we’re preparing to see on the runway. 
 
The show hasn’t even begun, but the buzz amongst the crowd certainly has. Classic pop music from the early 2010s is echoing throughout the venue, muffled somewhat by the sound of excited chatter. There are some jaw dropping outfits dotted about before the models have even hit the runway - the guests have dressed to impress, and the memo to go big or go home that clearly been received.
 
Then comes the moment everyone was eagerly awaiting - the lights go down and the opening model steps out, in the first of 28 looks, walking with conviction to the sound of B-52s Love Shack. A brief glance to the crowd and it’s a sea of smiles - the sheer jubilance in the room was undeniable - and it is quite literally impossible to not plaster a cheesy grin all over your face.
 
It wasn’t just the ambience that showed up to work - the clothes themselves were magnificent. Each individual look was inspired by a specific Pokémon, and they were displayed on screen as it went down the runway. In many ways it was classic JimmyPaul - eccentric silhouettes, vibrant colours and a masterclass in texture. There was a great deal of faux fur - that was perfectly wearable, especially in London’s harsh winters - in bright greens and yellows, plus a real crowd pleaser - an incredibly oversized jacket that resembled almost a bright colourful ball. Elsewhere, highlights included polka dots and stripes galore, tasteful two-pieces and futuristic prints.
 
The devil was really in the details. The hair and makeup was phenomenally done, complimenting each look perfectly, but not taking away from the clothes themselves. Meanwhile, the shoes almost deserved a show of their own, with the highlights being chunky trainers, 60s style go-go boots and metallic heels.
 
To round out what really was an exceptional show, Pikachu - the leading muse of the night - stepped out for a moment in the spotlight, followed by JimmyPaul himself, who deservedly received a huge round of applause from an amazed crowd.
 
Fashion shows can fall flat sometimes, especially in this current era when sleek and minimal is all the rage. Anyone can send a simple black dress down the runway, but not many can find connect fashion with modern art in the way that JimmyPaul does. This is everything London Fashion Week should be - avant-garde, experimental and something that really makes you feel.