Rising London designer Talia Lipkin-Connor is set to make her runway debut at London Fashion Week this weekend with her label Talia Byre, marking a significant milestone for the five-year-old brand known for feminine tailoring and playful prints. The Spring/Summer 2026 show represents the culmination of a journey that began in her sister’s Camden flat during the 2020 pandemic lockdown.
From Pandemic Startup to Fashion Week Success
The Central Saint Martins graduate launched Talia Byre as a tribute to her great uncle’s Liverpool boutique Lucinda Byre, which operated from 1964 to 1982, selling pieces from Vivienne Westwood and Mary Quant. With accessible pricing ranging from £300 to £400, the brand has strategically positioned itself in London’s competitive emerging designer landscape.
After initially working with a Milanese showroom that secured major stockists like Ssense and Nordstrom, Lipkin-Connor pivoted to a direct-to-consumer model in 2024 following retail industry challenges. The brand now generates 60% of sales through DTC, with seven carefully selected stockists including New York’s Cafe Forgot and Tokyo’s Visit For.
Building a Sustainable Business Model
Operating from a Hackney studio with three employees, Talia Byre has developed an “icons collection” featuring bestselling items like black knitwear and mini bolter bags, allowing for seasonal iterations while maintaining brand consistency. The designer has also expanded into bridal wear through word-of-mouth referrals, with clients visiting the studio for custom pieces.
With Ugg sponsoring the runway show, Lipkin-Connor aims to create a more refined, press and buyer-focused presentation. The designer emphasizes building a lasting brand through community engagement and plans to eventually open a physical store in London, recreating the personal shopping experience of her family’s original boutique.