Air kisses and absurd outfits, champagne and tantrums...Yes, it was London Fashion Week this week, when the fashion pack descended on the capital for parties and shows - and to find out what the well-dressed Brit will be wearing next winter, writes Georgina

Pattinson.

This year's event was dominated by the catwalk appearance of Posh Spice Victoria Beckham modelling Maria Grachvogel's Autmn/Winter Collection.

Posh Spice helped to dispel recent criticism about the annual fashion extravaganza and London was showcased as a powerhouse of ideas this week. Original and avant-garde talents will rub shoulders with established names at venues across the capital.

Fashion watchers will be looking for the key trends for the next autumn/winter season. Susie Forbes, a senior editor at Vogue, says: "A couple of trends, the boho look and the industrial minimal look went out of the window in recent shows. I think we will be seeing a more grown up, feminine and ladylike look. "That is certainly not the only look to wear at the moment - denim, for instance, is very fashionable, but I think we will probably see the continuation of that put-together look, rather than the rag-tag look."

With its reputation for the new, exciting and often wacky, London Fashion Week has a lot to live up to. Last season, there were cries of horror when Alexander McQueen, one of Britain's biggest talents, deserted London for New York.

He's back this year. "We'll be welcoming him back with open arms. It would be churlish not to," says Forbes. "London was a quieter place without him. McQueen is British and should show in Britain as much as possible.

"I have no doubt his show will be on the front pages and I don't know what trick he's got up his sleeve, but he always has one." Not only are McQueen's clothes a dazzling display of skill, but his shows are usually masterpieces too. But there are other designers who will be challenging him for the spotlight - Clements Ribeiro, for instance. The duo of Suzanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiro produced one of the best shows last year and Forbes says they are hotly tipped to win best British Designer of the Year at the end of London Fashion Week.

They are up against top competition as the two other nominations in that category are Hussein Chalayan, a London-based designer with Turkish Cypriot roots, and Matthew Williamson.

"Hussein Chalayan stole the show last year," says Forbes. "He is a truly conceptual fashion designer and the whole thought process behind his show is a team effort and fascinating to watch. It is art in the making." Matthew Williamson fired the imagination with his clothes last year, as well as filling the front row of his show with celebrities such as Jade Jagger and Helena Christensen and the runway with supermodels Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Jodie Kidd.

"We are all expecting great things from him. From the horse's mouth, we've heard he's going to return to a smaller production which is more intimate. He is going back to very beautiful, very desirable knitwear and evening pieces."

Forbes also sites British names Shelley Fox and Tracey Boyd - who were a success last year - and Sophia Kokosalaki and Scott Henshall as emerging talents.

"Henshall came into the Vogue offices the other day and said that everything in his show was inspired by Britain, such as kilts, Liberty prints and chintz. He is also going down that sophisticated, ladylike route." Despite the challenges of a big show, Anthony Symonds, another graduate of London's famous art school St Martin's, wowed the fashion world last year. "He is a real new talent. It was a very grown up collection he put out last season, even though it was his first big catwalk show. He is one to watch."

Robert Cary-Williams shot to fame recently too, not only as an avant-garde designer, not afraid to make slashed, apocalyptic clothes, but also for his unusual background. He grew up on a West Country dairy farm and joined the army before becoming a designer.

"I will be interested to see if he will go more mainstream," says Forbes. "His last show was very uncommercial and if he wants to see it going commercial there will have to be a shift in the wearability factor this year. "How he will do that and retain the fashion high ground, we will see. He has a reputation born out of controversy - if his skill takes the lead then he will have a glittering career."

Up and coming designer Markus Lupfer - an ex-employee of Clements Ribeiro - is another name to watch. He predicted the emergence of the ladylike look last season. There are well-known names which will be watched with keen interest too, such as Elspeth Gibson who makes very wearable women's clothes. Jean Muir and Jasper Conran both produce beautifully made, wearable clothes every year, with at least five pieces that every fashion lover wants in their wardrobe.

And Burberry is bound to be celebrating - fashion is on their side with the new trends for the Burberry check, logos and macs at the moment.

Story date: Saturday 19 February

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