Fashion Roundtable Hosts London’s Burns Night Dinner for Industry Leaders
Last week, London’s fashion leaders gathered for an intimate Burns Night dinner at Boisdale Belgravia, hosted by the industry think-tank Fashion Roundtable in collaboration with The Fashion People. The Auld Restaurant was transformed into a celebration of heritage, sustainability, and circular fashion, with ivy-draped tables, vintage vases of thistle and lucky heather, and tartan accents creating a distinctly London-meets-Scottish atmosphere. Guests included Suzy Menkes, Clare Press, Bora Aksu, and representatives from Mulberry, TOAST, and Gieves & Hawkes, all coming together to explore how second-hand luxury and resale are reshaping the fashion industry.
Tamara Cincik and Virginia Bates
Emily Ferrary, Harriet Fletcher-Gilhuys and Tamara Cincik
Suzy Menkes and Virginia Bates
The guest list reflected a mix of established voices and emerging innovators in London’s fashion scene. Suzy Menkes, widely regarded as one of fashion’s most authoritative critics, joined sustainability champion Clare Press in conversations about the future of circular fashion. Bora Aksu shared insights into heritage craft and tailoring, while representatives from Mulberry, TOAST, and Gieves & Hawkes discussed the challenges and opportunities of integrating resale into luxury fashion operations. The evening illustrated how London fashion leaders are increasingly thinking beyond trends, prioritising sustainability and long-term impact over ephemeral style.
The ambience combined traditional Burns Night theatrics with the sophistication expected from a London fashion gathering. Guests were welcomed by a bagpiper, whose presence returned later to herald the arrival of the haggis. Actor Craig McGinlay, dressed in a bespoke kilt created specifically for him, delivered a stirring recital of Robert Burns’ Address to a Haggis. Tables were adorned with ivy garlands, vintage vases filled with thistle and white rose, and tartan ribbon accents. The menu honoured Scottish tradition with smoked salmon to start, followed by both vegetarian and classic haggis toasted with a wee dram, and Cranachan for dessert. The attention to detail created an immersive experience, blending cultural heritage with modern fashion sophistication.
Craig McGinlay, Rosie Gaunt and Niko Simenov
While the evening was undeniably glamorous, it also sparked meaningful conversations about circular fashion, second-hand luxury, and the ways heritage brands can adapt resale into their business models. Fashion Roundtable, London’s leading fashion think-tank and change agency, has been at the forefront of these discussions, producing research and insights that guide industry leaders on sustainability, craft, and innovation. Guests explored how circular fashion can become a strategic advantage rather than just a trend, demonstrating the growing importance of conscious design, material longevity, and ethical supply chains in London’s luxury fashion ecosystem.
The Fashion People showcased how brands can operate their own resale marketplaces without operational complexity, turning second-hand luxury into a strategic asset. By managing logistics, authentication, and customer experience, The Fashion People allow brands to strengthen customer loyalty while contributing to a more sustainable fashion economy. The discussion highlighted how London’s fashion leaders are increasingly embracing resale, circular design, and heritage craft as central elements of their growth strategies, signalling a shift in the city’s fashion priorities.
Beyond the presentations and conversations, the dinner offered a rare moment for London’s fashion insiders to connect over ideas, collaborations, and shared values. From exchanging insights on sustainable production to debating the future of resale and second-hand markets, the gathering was more than a social event—it was a snapshot of the evolving London fashion landscape. The combination of glamour, heritage, and sustainability created a setting where creativity met conscience, and where industry leaders could reflect on the impact of their work.
Events like Fashion Roundtable’s Burns Night dinner demonstrate how London continues to blend tradition with forward-thinking innovation. By honouring Scottish heritage while championing circular fashion and resale, the evening showed that meaningful style extends beyond aesthetics. For London’s fashion leaders, the message was clear: the future of fashion is sustainable, collaborative, and conscious, and nights like this ensure that heritage, craft, and innovation remain at the centre of the conversation.