Allegra Hicks fuk@lfw s/s 07

If her front row is anything to go by, Allegra Hicks' contact book must be busting at the seams. A who's who of British, and international, fashion press squeezed into the packed venue at the Royal Horticultural Halls in and were joined on the heaving front row by the likes of What Not To Wear's Trinny Woodall, models Saffron Aldridge (almost flattened in the pap rush to snap her) and Lisa B, and lots of immaculately groomed, plump-lipped ladies.

Billed as a modern take on femininity, Hicks' signature prints have evolved into pretty embroidery which results in the graphic interpretation of a lily from thick cotton aplique on tulle to rich embroidery on jaquard and gold beading on silk. Lace and broderie add a whiff of girlish whimsy.

The predominant colours - sunflower yellow, Caribbean turquoise and vivid purple - contrast with monochrome dresses and separates in black and white and gold adornments come in the form of large gold metal droplets.

Hicks does a nice line in kaftans, and should the fuk.co.uk powers that be decide to send their reporting staff on a well deserved post-LFW jolly to the Maldives, we'll be sticking one of those on our shopping list.

Words: Maia Adams
Photos: Judith Erwes