London Fashion Week hails its heritage with Biba show

London Fashion Week, seen as the most fashion-forward of the international catwalk schedules, began yesterday with a blast from the past when it opened with iconic Sixties label Biba. And there's more history to come. Today will see the first catwalk appearance of the Ossie Clark label in 25 years, while the godmother of punk Dame Vivienne Westwood will also make a return to London Fashion Week later in the week.

With a few nods to its Sixties and Seventies heritage, Biba (above left) showed its collection for a second season under its creative director, Hector Castro, who took over from Bella Freud. Highlights of the show included black and peacock-coloured silk evening dresses. Also showing yesterday were collections from Topshop's design-led range Unique (right) and Jaeger.

London Fashion Week was officially opened by the Prime Minister's wife, Sarah Brown, who championed British design by appearing in a well-tailored 'Little Black Dress' by her favourite designer, Britt Lintner, and an Art Nouveau beaded necklace from Liberty.