English theme inspires designers Julien Macdonald and Vivienne Westwood

Julien Macdonald showed off his 'scuba chic' against the backdrop of an English country garden, and Vivienne Westwood said a trip to Hampton Court inspired her designs.

(SEPTEMBER 20, 2009) REUTERS - Set in an English country garden backdrop, Julien Macdonald showed off his Spring/Summer collection on Saturday (September 20).
The Welsh designer said the backdrop of the show was a contrast to the show's theme, underwater love. Macdonald said a deep sea diving trip to the Red Sea inspired this collection.

''Erm a diving trip to the Red Sea, where all of a sudden I was diving underneath the ocean with tanks on my back, and basically I really loved, I got inspired by the scuba suit, the suit you actually you wear when you go diving.''

Describing his creations as 'scuba chic', he also said the it was an aggressive yet fun collection.

Sharp shoulders and wetsuit inspired items were evident on the catwalk. His colour palette, was also darker for Spring/Summer. But Macdonald said his colour palette is chic and that white is the new black.

''And I think in the summer everybody offers lots of very bright colours, so these colours are very subdued but they're very chic colours, so they're colours that very rich women would buy into. The clothes are expensive and you know if you go to St Tropez you know, you want to wear expensive colours, the colours are very intense, there are intense reds and washed out pinks, and there's white, so for me really white is the new black of fashion.''

His underwater theme was evident on the catwalk as models dressed in outfits similar to fish scales stepped out onto the gravelled catwalk.

Having been inspired from one holiday Macdonald said he might end up in a colder climate to give him inspiration for winter.

''Well I think it will be a while but you never know, straight after the show I need to start on my next inspirational trip, so who know what it will be. It's the winter so perhaps I might end up in Alaska.

Following on with an English theme was the doyen of fashion Vivienne Westwood, who showcased her Red Label in London.

Celebrities could be spotted in the audience, among them was former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and Girls Aloud singers Sarah Harding and Nicola Roberts.

The collection reflected the English weather in the use of colours and the British atmosphere was shown in the traditional British fabrics.

This is the only label Westwood shows in London, her Gold Label is shown in Paris. She says it's the correct fashion capital for that particular line.

''I'm used to showing it (Gold Label) in Paris, because that's where you do show your, Gold Label because it's like, it's, well you've got to show where it's at for certain things.''

During this London Fashion Week many sought after designers are returning to the capital, among them is Burberry and Matthew Williamson.

Westwood said she too may return to the city,

'' I might come back to England as more and more designers coming back to England and it makes a difference who is there you see as well.''

Her shows often attract celebrities, and this year was no different. Singers Joss Stone and Boy George complimented the designer,

''Fantastic, absolutely flawless, very good, classic Vivienne you know.'' Said George.

''I think she's brilliant, she's a very different lady, and she's not exactly afraid of what people thinks, she's just going to do what she does, and she's not following any trends, she's making them.'' Said Stone.

Vivienne was wearing a green dress from a collection which was shown a couple of years ago. As she stepped out on to the runway at the end of the show she was clutching a toy toad. The toad represents the Prince's Rainforest Project, a cause that Vivienne Westwood is supporting.