London College of Fashion

This year, the London College of Fashion was able to stage its graduate show with support from Baugur, the parent company for Whistles, All Saints and Oasis. Student sponsorship also came from Saga furs who supported Rebekah Carpenter's collection which fused fur and feathers and offers commanding headresses. Luxury and a leaning towards couture was a distinctive influence with many of the 30 collections shown being far removed from the high street.

Min Kyung Kim's white collection with concertina belts and fiber-filled trousers bottoms and jacket hoods, has a spacey feel, Kevin Kim's menswear collection features long waistcoats,jewelled scarves, vest tops and jersey rolled up shorts while Ma So explored patchwork textiles and felt faces. Mining a military vein, B.K Sung offers a gentle powder blue colour palette in skinny denim trousers and mohair coats with brass buttons and belted jackets. Nicola Healy's belted body-hugging Lycra creations and cobweb dresses in metallic shades won her the Design Technology Award, while Sharnita Nandwana rock'n'roll mix of black sequin trousers, vest tops and beautiful billowing-sleeved sheepskin coat won her an award for Fashion Textiles.

The overall design award went to Matthew Inett for his gingham print collection of foam-filled jackets and skirts which suggest a cross between upholstery and clothing. Other commanding collections include Josefina's Larsson's mix of mohair dress and trousers and ruched silk dresses, Hayley Cheal's luxurious pearly shirts and fitted trousers, stain shirts and waistcoats with intricate folded details.

Photos: Ian Gillett