London Fashion Week celebrates its 25th anniversary, kicking off with an evening of glitz, glam and a host of government officials at the humble home of Gordon Brown at Ten Downing Street.
Chairman of the British Fashion Council, which organises the event, Harold Tillman announced a series of fabulous festivities to commemorate the success of the prestigious London Fashion Week featuring throughout 2009 and spread the word of the largest ever cash injection into the UK fashion industry to support home grown emerging designer talent. This much needed support to both the £4 billion textile and clothing industry and £40 billion retail industry poses for a fashionably optimistic 2009. The first designers to benefit will be announced this November.
Every top young British designer worthy of a stage in the ultimate event of the season graced through the gateways of Gordon's abode from Giles Deacon to Gareth Pugh alongside internationally acclaimed household names including John Rocha, Matthew Williamson and Betty Jackson.
International representatives such as president of CFDA Diane Von Furstenberg and her Italian equivalent, Cavaliere Mario Boselli attended and are expected to resolve threats of a shorter 4 day fashion week in a discussion with the British Fashion Council.
In anticipation of the grand reception, Ms Hilary Riva, executive director the BFC gave a presentation to government officials and ministers, the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Form, Culture Media and Sport and the representative of arts culture and creative industries for Greater London highlighting the significance of the nation's greatest bi annual event to our economy.
Additional fashionista favourites included models Naomi Campbell and fast rising superstar Joudan Dunn as well as Joan Burstein, founder of the world renowned Browns and key educational representatives from London College of Fashion and Royal College of Art. As expected, swarms of leading UK and international press headed to catch a glimpse of Britain's finest fashion moguls.
Each season London Fashion Week generates over £100 million in worldwide business and editorials worth more than £50 million in Britain alone with origins dating back to fashion promotions over 30 years prior to the launch in 1984. It may not offer the catapult to fame and fortune reminiscent of competitors New York, Milan and Paris however eludes a unique persona of "laboratory of talent" creating pioneers of art and design. Can it really be good for the UK if LFW is shortened to 4 days a week? How can it, the creative industries are rapidly growing and should be encouraged to flourish in these tough times.
