London Fashion Week welcomes back big names

London Fashion Week is welcoming back some star British designers in its 25th anniversary year, and none more starry than Mancunian Matthew Williamson, who for the past five years has shown his wares at New York Fashion Week.

Twiggy, Yasmin Le Bon, models Erin O'Connor and Jade Parfitt, and New York socialites Leigh Lezarck and Olivia Palermo were among the audience treated to vivid colours accessorised with mirrors and sequins (above).

Moving on from the boho look he has been associated with recently, Williamson's dresses were close-fitting and cut-out at the backs and sides. Jewels were in abundance, associated with cocktail dresses, and swimsuits were printed. There was also a metallic theme, with high-waisted shorts in bronze, paired with ruffly sleeves.

Antonio Berardi, a British-Italian designer who hasn't shown in London for ten years, also made his comeback yesterday with a collection that focused on bras and corseted dresses. Microskirts were puffed out with winged hips while jackets were bold and shoulder padded.

It hasn't all been about returnees: Boy George and Tracey Emin were in the audience for London stalwart Vivienne Westwood's Red Label collection. Pixie Geldof and Daisy Lowe were among the models, some smoking, who wore suits and dresses seemingly sewn together from men's shirts and pyjamas.

Burberry - subject of today's First Post cover story - and Pringle are still to come, and the word is that, despite the overall economic gloom, these spring/summer 2010 collections could be one of the most successful London Fashion Weeks ever. ·