Fashion Victim: Burberry keeps London Fashion Week in check

Sep 24 2009 by Emma Johnson, Liverpool Daily Post

LESS than 12 months ago it looked like London Fashion Week had had its day. As the big boys of Milan and New York sharpened their well-dressed elbows, it was in danger of being squeezed out.

What a difference a year makes. As the curtain came down on Tuesday night, sales were expected to top the £100m mark and British Fashion Council chairman Harold Tillman hailed the event as “one of the most exciting weeks we’ve ever had”.

It all started a little incongruously with one of the least stylish men in the country – Boris Johnson – cutting the imaginary ribbon. But the week quickly gathered pace as the Capital welcomed back with open arms some of the biggest names in the business, among them Matthew Williamson, Pringle, Stella McCartney and Jonathan Saunders, all eager to be part of LFW’s 25th anniversary year.

There were the old stalwarts too – Paul Costelloe, Vivienne Westwood, Betty Jackson and Mulberry to name but a few – while hip, young designers like PPQ, Henry Holland, Sass and Bide and the heady Hollywood mix of Sienna and Savannah Miller’s Twenty8Twelve line kept things hip and fresh.

And, as has been the case for a few years now, Topshop Unique was on hand to bring a flavour of the high street to the label-fest. Oh and Kate Moss, fresh from her GQ debacle.

But if proof were needed of London Fashion Week’s status it came in the appearance of the Queen of Fashion herself American Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

It’s been two-years since she deigned to visit but true to form she and her famous bob were first to arrive at every show. She even took the famous sunglasses off a couple of times.

On the clothing front there was everything from African tribal prints to androgynous cuts, from bra tops to huge bows, real fur and even size 14 models.

On the front rows there was no Pamela Anderson busting out all over this year but there was lots and lots of Peaches Geldof.

Sir Bob’s daughter must surely win the award for most ubiquitous guest. Although our own Nicola Roberts gave the mouthy miss a run for her money, popping up at Westwood, the Fashion Fringe and Topshop Unique in an array of... interesting outfits.

But in the end it fell to the once beleaguered Burberry brand to attract the A-list.

Frieda Pinto, Gwyneth Paltrow, Liv Tyler, Mary Kate Olsen, Agyness Deyn (with dodgy new haircut), Alexa Chung (in a classic Burberry trench pictured left), Harry Potter star Emma Watson and, erm, Peter Mandelson were all there to celebrate the fashion house’s return to greatness under creative director Christopher Bailey.

But it was the appearance of Victoria Beckham on the front row that really sealed the deal.

Forget the chav tag, Burberry is definitely back to Posh.