London has “breadth of talent” to show at fashion week

Models on the catwalk at the Antoni and Alison fashion show. Picture: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire

Friday, September 14, 2012
1:25 PM

London has “a real breadth of talent that others don’t have”, the woman at the head of the group which organises London Fashion Week (LFW) has said.

The Antoni and Alison fashion show, part of London Fashion Week. Picture: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire

The event kicked off in style today, and will see designers including Burberry, Mulberry and Alice Temperley show thier designs for spring/summer 2013 on the catwalk.

Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council which organises the five-day event, said: “It’s been a really strong start, it’s always a little bit of a whirlwind on the first day but I think there’s a real buzz out there and a lot of excitement.”

Asked what sets London apart from the other big fashion weeks - Paris, New York and Milan - she said: “We have a real breadth of talent here that the others don’t have.

“We have great brands, we have incredible iconic designers, and we also have this real energy from our young and emerging designers, and it’s that creativity and the innovation that comes out of London that sets us apart.”

A model at the Antoni and Alison fashion show. Picture: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire

The first catwalk show of the event was Antoni & Alison. Antoni Burakowski said he and Alison Roberts had gone back to basics with the collection, made up of floaty dresses with colourful and striking patterns on them.

Roberts summed up their designs as “chic and beautiful and arty”.

The show was introduced with a theatrical fanfare from a brass band, with the 24th Invicta Rifles continuing to play as the models sashayed down the runway.

British designer Caroline Charles also showed her collection on the Courtyard Show Space catwalk at main venue Somerset House. Her beachwear designs were a riot of colour with tropical prints and jazzy patterns inspired by Latin America.

Models on the catwalk at the Caroline Charles fashion show. Picture: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire

They contrasted with white floaty summer dresses and monochrome formal wear which was also shown.

Ms Rush said the UK fashion industry provides a £21 billion direct contribution to the economy every year and employs more than 800,000 people.

She added: “I think people look at Fashion Week and they see the glamour and excitement but don’t really put in into the context of driving this huge industry that has a huge impact on the economy.

“The more we put into events like London Fashion Week and the more we put into supporting homegrown design and businesses, the more that’s only going to continue to grow.”