London shows the way for next year's high street look

WHILE this summer's fashions jostle for space in our wardrobes with new trends coming in, others are looking further ahead.

Last week, some 500 miles away, the beautiful people of the fashion world turned their attention to next spring and summer, at the biannual London Fashion Week.

"Last week's runway shows gave the industry a glimpse into the trends of fashion's future," says Jenners fashion stylist, Aimi Hautau.

"It's always a hive of activity and a fantastic way to predict what's going to be hot and, while you don't need to start shopping for it now, you can prepare early for it."

Julien Macdonald, king of glitz and glamour, toned down his act with a muted collection. Instead of his usual dose of high-octane cocktail gowns, the darling of the London fashion scene has focused on body-skimming suede separates in beige and navy, which set the mood for the clothes to come.

His trademark slinky floor-length dresses subtly sparkled rather than screamed, and luxe dark colours featured highly for a summer collection. Beige, navy, brown and gold featured heavily.

The words sexy and pretty don't usually sit alongside each other in fashion but Jasper Conran made it happen with his playful collection.

Elegant halter-neck dresses, voluminous tulle circle skirts, see-through chiffon blouses and even a sexy senorita vibe with a fringed shawl and vivid red dresses are all on the spring-summer menu.

Doing what it does best, PPQ showed off another fun and frivolous collection to appeal to the Geldof and Chung front-row clan. Candy coloured dresses and cutesy all-in-ones were adorned with bows, peplums, ruffles – not to mention crazy hats and veils.

Navy and white sailor dresses added a nautical edge to the 50s and 70s-inspired Le Style Anglais collection.

Paul Smith's next collection, inspired by "hammams and harems" brought a taste of the exotic to London, mixing up his famed slouchy tailoring with linen scarves and turbans. The second half of the collection took on a more romantic mood with broderie Anglais petticoat dresses and wishy-washy chiffon florals. The models' wet-look hair and dewy faces added to Smith's holiday-style sheen.

Then there's Basso &Brooke's colour-charged print collection, geometric designs with a Japanese influence.

From art deco to floral, every Oriental-inspired pattern packed a serious punch. Shapes were kept simple with sleek shift dresses and body-skimming maxi dresses to let the prints and oh-so-high sculptural shoes do all the talking.

So what should we be keeping from this summer's wardrobe for next year?

"The whole sailor and nautical look will return, as it does every year, so retain those white trousers, skirts and all that is navy and red," says Aimi.

"Keep your jumpsuits, chiffon separates and tulle skirts too. You'll be reaping the rewards next summer."