Young Pupils Experience Fashion, Creativity and Inspiration at London Fashion Week

21 September 2026

Creativity took centre stage at London Fashion Week as award-winning British fashion designer Patrick McDowell welcomed pupils from Knightsbridge School to his runway show, giving them a unique opportunity to experience one of the fashion industry's most prestigious events first-hand.

This incredible crossover was made possible through a partnership between Patrick McDowell, leading children's mental health charity Place2Be and Knightsbridge School, enabling a group of primary-aged children to attend the designer's London Fashion Week presentation at Yeomanry House in Bloomsbury.

Knightsbridge School With Patrick Mcdowell Main Image

Twelve pupils aged between seven and ten enjoyed an exclusive front-row seat at the show, immersing themselves in the excitement, creativity and craftsmanship of a major fashion event. Following the presentation, the children met Patrick and gained a rare insight into the creative process behind his latest collection, learning more about the journey from initial concept to final design.

The event highlighted the importance of encouraging imagination and creativity from an early age. Set against the inspiring backdrop of Yeomanry House, the experience connected young people with the worlds of fashion, design and the wider creative arts, demonstrating the value of creative thinking, self-expression and innovation.

Patrick McDowell is widely recognised as one of Britain's most influential contemporary designers, known for his pioneering work in sustainable fashion. He has designed pieces for The Princess of Wales and received the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.

Knightsbridge School Meeting Patrick Main Image

The opportunity followed an introduction made by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood to Place2Be, of which Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales, has been Patron since 2013.

Patrick's commitment to creativity, innovation and sustainable design aligns closely with the importance of nurturing imagination during childhood. Through experiences such as this, children can develop problem-solving skills, self-expression and new ways of thinking, helping to lay the foundations for future innovation across a wide range of industries.

The visit also provided a powerful example of how creative thinking, experimentation and individuality can be transformed into successful careers. By exposing children to inspiring role models and real-world creative environments, schools and organisations can help broaden horizons and encourage the next generation of artists, designers, entrepreneurs and changemakers.

“Fashion is ultimately about storytelling, imagination and self-expression. Creativity can be transformative for young people, helping them to see new possibilities for themselves and the world around them. My own mother taught in the Early Years for over 30 years and so the cause is very close to my heart. I hope this experience encourages young children to explore fashion and the creative industries during these most important and formative years. ” Patrick McDowell

Catherine Roche, Chief Executive of Place2Be, said:

"We were thrilled to partner with Patrick and for children from our Place2Be network to experience London Fashion Week first-hand. Experiences such as these can have a lasting impact, helping children discover new interests and talents, build connections and feel inspired to dream big for their future. We are also deeply thankful to The Royal Foundation for helping to make this opportunity possible."

“The children had a fantastic experience at the show and embraced every opportunity to learn more about the creative industries. Experiences that open doors to creativity and the arts play a crucial role in nurturing curiosity, aspiration and imagination in young people. Seeing the children's excitement and engagement throughout the day was truly inspiring.” Gabrielle Besant, Year 3 Form Teacher at Knightsbridge School

The collaboration demonstrated the powerful role that partnerships between education, the creative industries and children's mental health organisations can play in broadening horizons and creating memorable experiences for young people. By opening doors to creative opportunities, the initiative helped inspire children to explore new interests while showing them the possibilities that creativity can unlock for their futures.

About Knightsbridge and Place2Be

Place2Be has been working in Knightsbridge school since 2014, with Knightsbridge becoming the first independent day school in the UK to establish a formal partnership with the children's mental health charity. The relationship was initiated by Magoo Giles, Founder and Principal of Knightsbridge School, who recognised the importance of providing specialist mental health support within the school community. Since then, Place2Be's counselling services, wellbeing programmes and expert guidance have become an integral part of the school's pastoral care, offering confidential support to pupils, parents and staff.

As a cornerstone of the school's commitment to wellbeing, the partnership helps foster what Knightsbridge School describes as an "ecosystem of happiness", where emotional wellbeing is prioritised alongside academic achievement.

Place2Be's expertise continues to be embedded into everyday school life, under the leadership of Adam Anstey who joined as Headmaster in September 2026. This partnership has helped students build resilience, confidence and the emotional tools needed to navigate the challenges of an increasingly complex world.