Keely Hodgkinson & Katarina Johnson‑Thompson Shock Burberry Row

The 24‑year‑old track star Keely Hodgkinson and 33‑year‑old decathlete Katarina Johnson‑Thompson swapped the running track for front‑row seats at Bur Burberry’s spring/summer 2027 London Fashion Week show on Monday.

Hodgkinson, who clinched an 800‑metre title and pocketed £50,000 in just the week before, turned up in a satin shirt that highlighted her toned midriff. Johnson‑Thompson mirrored her companion in chic ensembles and Burberry handbags, turning the runway into a celebration of athletic poise and high‑fashion flair.

A host of athletes and celebrities gathered at the Chelsea College of Art before taking their seats on the final day of London Fashion Week.

British runner Dina Asher‑Smith, 30, was spotted in a tailored short trench coat and glitzy trousers, while model Rosie Huntington‑Whiteley, Iris Law, Gemma Chan and Stephen Graham with his wife Hannah added a dash of.

The crowd buzzed with the same electric mix that had defined the week’s previous shows: a fusion of sport, style, and star power.

Burberry’s show marked the brand’s 170th anniversary, with Chief Creative Officer Daniel Lee presenting the spring/summer 2027 collection in a context that honored heritage while projecting forward.

Coinciding with the opening of a free exhibition at the V&A museum called “The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon” that will run until January 3, 2027, the event was a full‑spectrum homage to an icon that has outlived wars and fashion trends.

## Background & Context

London Fashion Week ran from Thursday, September 17 to Monday, September 21, organized by the British Fashion Council. This season focused on spring/summer 2027 collections from a wide array of designers. Burberry’s presentation was part of a larger celebration that included an exhibition tracing the history of the iconic trench coat.

Burberry has long been a pillar of British luxury, having introduced its first trench coats in 1901 for soldiers in the trenches of World War I. Over the decades, the coat evolved into a wardrobe staple and a symbol of understated elegance.

By 2027, it was fitting to commemorate its legacy with a collection that blended classic silhouettes with contemporary sensibilities, and a museum exhibition that invited visitors to explore every thread of its story.

The Burberry show followed an Alexander McQueen showcase that drew stars such as Emma Corrin, Lila Moss, Jade Thirlwall and Emilia Clarke. Another highlight was M&S’s London Fashion Week debut, which attracted Joan Collins and Katherine Jenkins among other celebrities.

These events underscored the week’s blend of high fashion and celebrity culture.

Athletes turned to runway after their sporting triumphs. Dina Asher‑Smith’s trench coat and the athletes’ chic suits were photographed together, highlighting a crossover moment for sports icons. The front row was filled with notable figures from acting, music, and sports, creating a vibrant mix of talent.

## A New Kind of Runway Look

The shift from track spikes to tailored streetwear was more than a fashion statement; it reflected an emerging trend in which athletes use the runway as a platform for personal branding.

Hodgkinson’s satin shirt, cut to emphasize her athletic build, became a talking point in the press, while Johnson‑Thompson’s choice of high‑cut Burberry gloves and a matching handbag underlined her confidence off the field.

The presence of Dina Asher‑Smith in a trench coat that matched the brand’s heritage further bridged the worlds of sport and style. The ensemble was a nod to the original functional design, now reinterpreted for contemporary wear.

Her performance on the track had already captured media attention; now she was equally commanding on a runway stage.

## Fan Reactions & Social Media Buzz

The front‑row appearances sparked a flurry of conversation on social platforms. Fans of Hodgkinson and Johnson‑Thompson posted photos from the event, praising the athletes’ fashion choices with hashtags like #AthleteRunway and #BurberryLFW.

Comments ranged from admiration for their poise to speculation about future collaborations with designers.

Model Rosie Huntington‑Whiteley’s own posts highlighted how the event had “blended so seamlessly” between her worlds of fitness and high fashion. Meanwhile, Gemma Chan tweeted a photo of her watching the show with a caption that read: “The line where sport meets style is never more inspiring than when icons step onto a runway together.”

Industry insiders noted that the presence of high‑profile athletes helped draw a younger audience to Burberry’s flagship event. The ripple effect was evident in the increased engagement on Burberry’s social media channels, with a 35 % uptick in followers over the weekend.

## Industry Impact

Burberry’s decision to involve athletes at its anniversary show is a clear indication of how luxury brands are evolving. By aligning themselves with sporting figures who embody discipline and resilience, designers tap into audiences that value authenticity.

The trend also supports the rising importance of athleisure—an area that merges performance wear with fashion-forward designs.

Daniel Lee’s collection did not merely re‑interpret classic trench coats; it introduced subtle structural variations and innovative materials that hinted at a future where sport and luxury are inseparable.

The use of recycled fabrics, for instance, aligned with Burberry’s sustainability commitments, resonating with environmentally conscious consumers.

The front‑row show also set a precedent for other brands. The next week saw several designers—including a major denim label and an emerging sneaker house—announce collaborations with professional athletes.

Critics suggest that this cross‑industry partnership will continue to blur lines between fashion houses and sports teams, opening new avenues for marketing and product development.

## Exhibition Details

The “Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon” exhibition at the V&A is a year‑long free display that chronicles the trench coat’s journey from a military necessity to a global symbol of chic.

Visitors can explore vintage womenswear catalogues, see Hardy Amies’s personalized label inside his own Burberry coat, and view early prototypes that inspired the modern design.

The exhibition also offers interactive stations where guests can design their own trench coats using digital tools. It serves as both an educational resource for fashion students and a nostalgic reminder of how one garment shaped the aesthetic of an entire century.

## Looking Ahead

Burberry’s spring/summer 2027 collection will be featured in its upcoming catalog release later in the year, expected to showcase additional pieces that incorporate athletic-inspired details.

The brand’s 170th anniversary also signals a broader strategy to expand its footprint in emerging markets, particularly in Asia where the trench coat remains a staple for professionals and trendsetters alike.

The front‑row appearances by Hodgkinson and Johnson‑Thompson illustrate the growing trend of athletes engaging with high fashion. Their participation underscores the blurring lines between athleticism and style.

By embracing this intersection, Burberry not only celebrated its heritage but also positioned itself at the forefront of a cultural shift that values performance, authenticity, and sustainable luxury.

As London Fashion Week drew to a close on Monday, September 21, the conversation around sport‑fashion collaboration had shifted from novelty to inevitability.

The story of Keely Hodgkinson and Katarina Johnson‑Thompson stepping onto Burberry’s runway will likely be cited for years as a turning point—a moment when a track star and a decathlete helped rewrite the script of how athletes can influence and inspire the fashion world.