London Fashion Week kicks off with future uncertain

London Fashion Week is up and running with Paul Costelloe (1) kicking off proceedings on Sunday with a glamorous and tailored spring/summer 2009 collection. Model Erin O'Connor and shoe guru Jimmy Choo took front row seats in a very packed British Fashion Council tent at the Natural History Museum. The show was followed by a 70s revival from Ossie Clark (2) and some seriously short shorts and micro minis at the PPQ (3) show.

The hot topic among the fashion crowd was the news of a split between It-couple Daisy Lowe and Mark Ronson who are reported to have called it a day after rows over their 14-year age gap. Lowe, 19, was on the catwalk at PPQ and was supported in the front row by paparazzi perennials Pixie and Peaches Geldof.

Anna Wintour, the London-born editor-in-chief of American Vogue, was a notable absentee and is said to be giving London Fashion Week a miss this season. This doesn't bode well for the future of the twice-yearly event as pressure builds on London to cut its 'week' to four days. ·