London Fashion Week Is Here!

London Fashion Week Is Here!

While some Londoners are fixated on the papal visit, the fashion crowd's mulling around Somerset House and Waterloo (Topshop's new venue), sipping champagne and trying not to trip in their towering heels (after all, fashion's a religion for some, isn't it?) Let's see what London's designers have unleashed on us for spring so far...

Felder Felder, Jean Pierre Braganza, PPQ, Hannah Marshall. Photos: Getty, Wire Images

Circus circus: The PPQ fashion show is always a bit carnvialesque, and this season was no exception as designers Percy Parker and Amy Molyneaux sent out their vivid vision for spring: lots of jewel-toned taffeta, abstract prints, fez hats and their signature party dresses, scalloped, ruffled and cocktail party-ready. The design duo also collaborated on a shoe collection with Office, which made its debut on the catwalk. The front row was full of singing types: Jamelia, Kanye West's ex-girlfriend Amber Rose, Paloma Faith and Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child.

Simply sheer: The message coming down Hannah Marshall's catwalk was perfectly transparent. The designer showed off her softer side with a lighter palette (although her trademark black was far from absent) and plenty of delicate, sheer chiffon tops, blouses and dresses.

Kafka's moment: Those who have read Metamorphosis will understandably not see the appeal in being transformed into an insect, but when Bora Aksu does it, the result is quite alluring. His spring/summer 2011 collection was inspired by ants (they showed up everywhere from models' hair to padding and piping on dresses and cut-out lace on tights).

Rock on: Felder Felder's mood was pure rock chick, from the indigo blue eye makeup to the tousled rocker hair and leather looks (Their perfect customer? Singer Coco Sumner, who sat front row). Shredded tulle tutus and feather-embellished skater skirts had us yearning for some rock star street cred.

Feeling flushed: Jean Pierre Braganza's girls looked amazing with their hot fuchsia cheeks - a little risqué for day, perhaps, but statement-making for night when paired with bare lips and dark eyes. To get that flushed look the natural way, hop on one of the limited-edition Barclays Cycle Hire bikes the designer's created especially for fashion week.

Out of Oz: Aussie designers Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton of Sass & Bide went digital for spring with intricate, pretty prints adorning jumpsuits, mini-dresses and trousers. Raffia was the fabric of choice to accessorise with - chokers, a bolero and even an adorable coral skirt were all made from the material, proving it goes beyond straw bags. Rugby star Danny Cipriani sat front row.

Natural instinct: Bora Aksu wasn't the only one inspired by nature for spring. At the Aminaka Wilmont show, shoes were adorned in multi-coloured butterflies, while trousers and dresses were cut from a pastel digital rose print.

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