McQueen’s AW25 pre-collection is a love letter to Soho legends

London’s Soho has a rich history of colourful characters. For centuries, creatives from all walks of life have been drawn to Soho and carved out their own corners within it – just look at Mods, the Blitz kids, the queer community or the thriving jazz scene. If you head to The French House on Dean Street, you’ll discover that the walls are decorated with black and white photographs of some of the pub’s notable regulars. 

The face pictured more than any other is that of artist Francis Bacon, who, during the 60s, could be found at the Soho boozer most evenings. Often accompanying him would be fellow painter Lucien Freud, as well as a revolving gaggle of writers, artists and poets. Now, McQueen is paying tribute to the legends of Soho’s past with its new AW25 pre-collection, celebrating characters such as Bacon and Freud with sharp tailoring and a new campaign shot at the Coach & Horses. 

The second part of the campaign, which launched earlier this week, includes two limited edition t-shirts featuring local celebs Soho George — who can usually be spotted in a boating hat and three-piece suit – and Florence Joelle, who you’ll find singing jazz at Trisha’s. See the full campaign by flicking through the gallery above. 

Elsewhere in fashion this week, on Monday (June 2), it was officially announced that Jonathan Anderson would be overseeing Dior’s womenswear, men’s and couture. We caught up with the 11-year-old streetwear designer dressing Pharrell and Elle Fanning, plus it was the Central Saint Martins BA fashion show – find our 12 must-see collections here, and catch all the other fashion news of the week below.