​The Mayor of London is aiming to move forward with his ultimate aim to pedestrianise Oxford Street and has launched a consultation  to get the views of Londoners and businesses on the proposal.

They have until 2 May to let Sir Sadiq Khan know what they think with the Mayor hoping that the long-discussed pedestrianisation will create a “world-class, accessible, clean, avenue” that will boost visitor numbers to the famous shopping street, create jobs, and boost the city’s overall growth.

Pedestrianisation has been discussed for decades but the last attempt to push it through in 2018 was derailed by then-Conservative-controlled Westminster City Council, which said local residents were against the idea.

The Mayor now has greater planning powers for the area following changes after last year’s general election and the arrival of the new Labour government, which means he can take control of the area away from the council, which itself is now Labour-controlled.

Sir Sadiq said: “Oxford Street has been known as the nation’s high street but the area has suffered in recent years. My proposals are designed to unlock the true potential of Oxford Street and deliver a world-class, accessible, clean, avenue. These proposals would help to restore this famous part of the capital and support good businesses, while creating new jobs and boosting growth.”

Dee Corsi, CEO of New West End Company said: “We have long championed the regeneration of Oxford Street, recognising its vital importance to London and the UK economy. The launch of the public consultation marks a significant milestone in the journey of the nation’s high street.”

And Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said the proposed changes would turn the area into “one of Europe’s biggest plazas”. 

But while the pedestrianisation is general seen as a good thing, there’s no denying that banning traffic from a massive artery in the middle of London would create problems elsewhere. 

Daytime traffic is already restricted to buses and taxis but with those removed, adjoining and parallel roads are likely to see heavier traffic.

And while pedestrianisation could boost shopping, the removal of the ability to hop of a bus or into a cab outside Selfridges, John Lewis et al while carrying bags of shopping could be an issue. Disabled access could also be reduced.

Sir Sadiq, who has the backing of deputy PM and local government secretary Angela Rayner, added: “This is a street that contributes hugely to our national economy. But over the last few years it has been in decline due to a combination of competition from online shopping and out of town centre malls. It needs to have an injection of inward investment from future flagship stores.”

As the world’s leading store buyers continue to analyse the key messages from Fashion Month so far, Simon Longland of Harrods has delivered his verdict.

The luxury department store’s fashion director of buying has given a thumbs-up to Fendi from Milan and London’s Erdem.

He said that “Fendi stood out as the highlight of Milan Fashion Week, delivering a collection that seamlessly blended heritage craftsmanship with modern sophistication. The house’s ability to balance tradition with contemporary allure made it a clear frontrunner of the season”.

As for Erdem, he thinks “London Fashion Week AW25 was a study in refined impact, with Erdem delivering the season’s most exceptional collection — its poetic elegance amplified by a masterful presentation at the British Museum”.

In terms of the fashion show event itself, he was also impressed by Dolce & Gabbana, which “mastered the art of spectacle, with models seamlessly transitioning from the runway to an open-air setting, where a live DJ set brought the energy of the show to the surrounding crowds. This immersive format blurred the lines between the exclusive fashion world and the city itself, creating a dynamic and inclusive experience”.

The key trends he’s focusing on from Milan include shaggy textures. “Shearling and faux fur dominated the runways, appearing in full jackets and coats as well as linings, and trims on trousers and skirts,” he said.

He also took note of the muted palette with a pop of red.

“Black and ivory formed the foundation of most collections, while shades of brown — from soft latte hues to deep espresso — emerged as the strongest colour story. Where designers did embrace colour, red was the undeniable standout, ranging from bright scarlet to deep Bordeaux,” he explained.

Longland noted the leather and suede resurgence too “as a natural complement to the shaggy trend… and not just restricted to outerwear pieces”.

Oversized knitwear was also key with “chunky, enveloping knitwear add[ing] to the season’s theme of tactile comfort and understated luxury”.

See catwalk

But his must-have piece for AW25 from Milan was “a beautifully crafted shearling coat” that he thinks “is set to be the ultimate wardrobe investment for the season, embodying both warmth and timeless elegance”.

His key themes from London meanwhile included “green in its many shades — mint, apple, grass — woven through collections at Erdem, Huishan Zhang, and Emilia Wickstead, while embellishment took centre stage, from crystal-encrusted gowns to subtle sequin panels. 

“A 1960s influence brought reimagined pillbox hats, sculptural minis, and novelty PVC coats at Emilia Wickstead and Huishan Zhang, while colour palettes softened — muted yet intentional tones defining Roksanda, Erdem, and Edeline Lee”.

As with Milan, he saw outerwear as a key “statement of both function and indulgence” but here it seems to have been less about shaggy textures than luxe details, colour and functionality. 

Longland liked “Huishan Zhang’s crystal details and Simone Rocha’s pearl-embellished hardware [that] elevated utility into luxury. Nowhere was this more evident than at Burberry, where trenches, greatcoats, and rain capes in deep earth tones reasserted the house’s mastery of protection from the elements. The iconic check appeared with subtle restraint, reinforcing heritage through quiet sophistication”.

He thought art “left its mark” too, particularly in Erdem’s collaboration with Kaye Donachie that “brought portraiture to fabric”, while SS Daley “channelled Francis Cadell’s brushwork, and Roksanda reinterpreted Phyllida Barlow’s sculptural language into volume and form”.

Overall in London, he thought the season “was about restraint and impact — where luxury was deliberate, innovation measured, and the conversation between past and present more compelling than ever”.