Monday at AFW 2007

We're back for second year at the Spitalfields Traders' Market, just off Brushfield Street in E1 for 2007's annual dose of Alternative Fashion Week. Like last year, the weather today was brutally cold so spare a thought please for the many models who braved freezing temperatures in this public space, some with barely a stitch on.

Alternative Arts' Maggie Pinhorn introduced the band, this year dubbed the Size Zeros, and got the lunchtime show off to an enthusiastic start. Twelve designers are showing each day this week and it was the 2006's worthy winners, Ophelia Fancy, who kick-started the Week with their unique take on underwear as outerwear. Think Victorian details with a dash of Betty Page bare-faced cheek and you'll get the idea: huge feather fans, corsets, dainty knickers and a fantastic array of luscious legwear and fake fur muffs created by Stevi Jelbert and Emma King.

Inspired by Hollywood hounds, Victoria McBryde's collection features mini dresses emblazoned with dog motifs, dog-shaped bags and accessories for the ladies and for pooches there are cute coats. Designer Nicola Garrett took her cue from matters ecclesiastic which translated into stunning trench and wool coats with vestament-style scarves and tabard dresses with pleated details. Lucia Liu's outfits are inspired by her childhood and a series of fun and frolicksome dresses were beautifully accessorised with pouches carryinf toys. She has a focused vision and some really witty pieces which we truly enjoyed.

Liverpool's John Moore's University displayed an eclectic mix of gothic frocks and felted cut-out dresses which was followed on the catwalk by Tom Mower's very practical take on high visibility jackets which mimic argyle patterns on flourescent. Tom's models were a bunch on on-site builders, a perfect choice as these guys gave great catwalk.

Layla Clough and Jenny Coulman joined forces on an elegant collection with 50's style exaggerated hips on skirts, fitted blouses, tailored pinstripe trousers with triangular bottoms and slinky trousers belted onto shoes. London College of Fashion graduate Ichiro Suzuki is a punk tailor. He showed an innovative collection of menswear inspired by tweed but also featuring a funky red tartan three-piece suit, a gorgeous green plaid frock coat with gold brocade details and a subtle Union Jack on the back from the same fabric. His racing red wool coat with checks and luxurious belt and distressed and 'unfinished' tweed two piece suit are stunning - this man who was also an entrant in 2007's Golden Shears Award, has masses of talent.

People Tree are a homegrown ethical label that really do work hard to source Fair Trade and organic fabrics and turn them into wearable on-trend clothes including sun dresses and culottes. It's no wonder that they support this fantastic platform for new talent is a talent and, despite the harsh winds that threatened the fabulous white backdrops, the models coped well showing a spring summer 2007 collection in the freezing cold.

Words: Marian Buckley (Editor, fuk.co.uk).

Photos: Nick Ingham and Jo Fotheringham. Prints are available to purchase from SmilePlease.net.