Every October, London breathes differently. The city that is already a mosaic of cultures turns into a living gallery. Frieze London arrives – and suddenly Regent’s Park is no longer a park. It’s a pulse. A meeting point for artists, collectors, curators and creative minds who believe that art is still the most powerful language we have.

Frieze is not just an art fair; it’s a reflection of how we live and think today. Walking through its white tents, you move between worlds – one booth is about memory and loss, another about technology and control, another about beauty, chaos and transformation. Art here becomes more than an object. It becomes a dialogue – between cultures, generations and even between humans and the digital future.

This year, what stood out most was the sense of emotion returning to art. After years of cold conceptualism and irony, artists seem to be searching again for sincerity. Soft colors, organic forms, handmade textures – the kind of detail that reminds us of touch, imperfection and humanity. Perhaps that’s what we all need right now.

Fashion and art have always been twins – both chase beauty, provoke thought and capture the mood of an era. At Frieze, you see that crossover everywhere: designers inspired by sculpture, installations that feel like couture and an atmosphere that merges gallery precision with runway drama. London, as always, hosts it effortlessly; rebellious, elegant and alive.

Yet, Frieze is not only about admiration. It’s also about contradiction. The fair shines with million-pound artworks, yet many of those works speak about inequality, climate change and consumer excess. That irony – that tension – is part of what makes Frieze so modern. It doesn’t hide the conflict; it turns it into a conversation.

As I left the fair this year, one small work stayed with me – a fragile sculpture of glass and thread, almost invisible unless you looked closely. It reminded me that even in this giant spectacle of commerce and creativity, the quietest pieces still have the loudest voices.

In the end, that’s what Frieze London is about. The spectacle may draw you in, but it’s the subtlety that keeps you thinking. The art world changes every year, but Frieze remains a reminder that imagination still matters – and that in a world obsessed with speed, it’s the things that make us stop that truly move us.

What’s new

London never sleeps when it comes to creativity – and this season proves it again. From the West End’s newest musicals to the most talked-about art openings, the city feels alive with energy and imagination.

New musicals

'Burlesque: The Musical'

After its sold-out run in Manchester, "Burlesque" – inspired by the 2010 film starring Christina Aguilera and Cher – has officially opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London. It’s a glamorous, glitter-filled celebration of empowerment, live vocals and dazzling choreography. Think feathers, sequins and powerhouse vocals – a modern crowd-pleaser.

'The Devil Wears Prada'

One of the most anticipated openings of 2025, this stylish new production takes center stage at the Dominion Theatre. With an original score by Elton John, it brings Miranda Priestly and Andy Sachs to life onstage. The show blends high fashion, humor and ambition with a London twist – the costume design alone is worth the ticket.

'Mean Girls: The Musical'

Tina Fey’s Broadway hit has finally landed in London at the Savoy Theater, offering sharp humor, pink nostalgia and irresistible pop songs. It’s fun, fast and full of attitude – perfect for a night out with friends.

'Standing at the Sky’s Edge'

Now playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, this Olivier Award-winning musical combines social history and Northern soul – a heartfelt story about Sheffield’s Park Hill estate that has become a symbol of British resilience and change.

New art exhibitions

'Frida Kahlo: Life, Love and Pain'

At the Victoria and Albert Museum, this powerful new exhibition explores Kahlo’s personal world through her letters, clothing and rarely seen photographs. It’s intimate, emotional and deeply inspiring.

'Fashion Futures: Beyond the Body'

Hosted at Somerset House, this immersive exhibition examines how technology, sustainability and identity are shaping the future of fashion. Expect 3D-printed fabrics, digital couture and boundary-pushing design.

'Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors'

The Tate Modern welcomes Kusama back with her mesmerizing mirrored rooms – a breathtaking experience blending light, reflection and repetition. Still one of the most Instagram-loved art moments in the city.

'British Vogue 110: A Century of Style'

At the Design Museum, this celebratory exhibition marks 110 years of British Vogue, tracing the magazine’s cultural impact through photography, cover art and the evolution of fashion from the 1910s to today.

This season, London feels like it’s reinventing itself – balancing nostalgia with bold experimentation. Whether you lose yourself in the sparkle of Burlesque, the sharp wit of "The Devil Wears Prada," or the timeless magic of a Kusama mirror room, the message is the same:

Art, in all its forms, is back to being fearless.