The British Fashion Council has unveiled plans for London Collections: Women, which will run from June 18 immediately after London Collections: Men, that aims to capitalise on the growing number of brands and designers selling pre-collections for spring 2013 during this period.

Last year the BFC created a guide to pre-collections that was well received by British and international buyers, this new initiative will see coordinate events and activity running during this time with support from a dedicated website, and a map, available from Somerset House, to easily locate designer showrooms and participating multibrand showrooms.

Participating brands and designers already confirmed include: Alice by Temperley; Burberry; Erdem; House of Holland; Matthew Williamson; Michael Van der Ham; Mulberry; Nicholas Kirkwood; Paul Smith; Peter Jensen; Preen by Thornton Bregazzi; Pringle of Scotland; Richard Nicoll; Roksanda Ilincic; Roland Mouret; and Rupert Sanderson.

The multibrand showrooms taking part are: Tomorrow Showroom; Rainbowwave Showroom; Four Marketing Showroom; and Paper Mache Tiger Showroom.

Caroline Rush, CEO BFC commented: “The aim of London Collections: Women is to create a resource for buyers, media and stylists to navigate the breadth of designers selling in London during this time. Many designers showing at London Fashion Week have now introduced pre-collections, some for the very first time this season. There are great showrooms here in London and we want to encourage as many as orders as possible to be written here.”

Marigay McKee, Chief Merchant, Harrods added: “Whilst runway is incredibly important, it arrives much later and therefore pre-collections are vitally significant and highly commercial. All of our big International designer and contemporary labels offer pre-collections and increasingly smaller brands are introducing a pre-collection offering, to ensure the floor is constantly refreshed with new deliveries.

“London Collections: Women will provide brands with an exciting opportunity to showcase and promote their pre-collections, creating a must-see destination for buyers to visit.”