Dalston’s OG fashion concept store LN-CC is all loved up

Fashion retail, just like the rest of us, is going through a rough time right now. Every day it seems like more and more brands – from emerging designers, to established houses, to leading multi-retailers – are shutting up shop, while even massive conglomerate-backed names are suffering through monumental drops in sales. The landscape paints a bleak picture of the state of fashion, but it’s important to remember: it’s not all bad, and there’s still lots to celebrate. 

One of those things is 15 years of LN-CC. The East London concept store – originally called the Late Night Chameleon Cafe – flung open its doors back in 2010, inviting fans of cult fashion labels inside and through its iconic 2001: A Space Odyssey-inspired tunnel. Emerging on the other side, originally on an appointment-only basis, visitors would be guided through the best each season had to offer – from hard-to-find Yohji Yamamoto, Olivier Theyskens, and Balenciaga when it was under the direction of Nicolas Ghesquière, to Rick Owens, Raf Simons, and loads, loads more. It wasn’t just clothes, either: books, rare paraphernalia, and chic homewares were also up for grabs.

After a revamp in the middle of the pandemic, LN-CC came back bigger and better, and more accessible to a wider audience. Going from appointments only to open-to-all, it also expanded its offering and laid on a swathe of workshops, talks, educational sessions, and, perhaps most important, parties. Now, it boasts a massive line-up of rising designers like Chopova Lowena, Collina Strada, Isa Boulder, and Ottolinger, London’s finest, like Martine Rose, Vivienne Westwood, and Burberry, and global heavyweights, like The Row, Phoebe Philo, Gucci, and Miu Miu.

Now, in honour of its big birthday, LN-CC is gearing up for a season of celebrations, with a new series of loved-up events: We Love You, We Love What We Do, and We Love Music. First up is We Love You, which shows love to a bunch of longtime collaborators and friends, like Lacoste. The tennis label turned contemporary fashion name is set to drop a collection of special edition polo shirts bearing striking designs by NY-based artist Frank Dorey, which Dazed readers can get their hands on as part of a birthday giveaway here. Following close behind are further collabs with cult Berlin perfumer David Roelen, who crafted a unique scent inspired by the store’s Dalston location, and another clothing offering designed in partnership with Champion. 

Elsewhere, We Love What We Do demonstrates LN-CC’s commitment to championing new talent, with Ed Curtis and Eden Tan on the line-up, plus exclusive drops from Rick Owens, Our Legacy, and more, while We Love Music pays homage to its roots in club culture. Global forces like Love International and Teenage Engineering, as well as legendary Italian label Stone Island, are set to take over LN-CC’s l8te basement space and immerse visitors in sound across the coming weeks. 

At a time when IRL spaces are struggling so much, it’s so heartening to see a London icon not just surviving, but thriving in the face of financial turmoil, its success coming down to its ability to adapt and change with the cultural landscape. Check out the full listings for its celebratory season here and make sure to head down.