As London Fashion week fast approaches it seems appropriate to draw attention to the significant amount of A/W 08 shows that flew the flag for Blighty away from home.

Alexander McQueen has long been a lover of the bright and bold brilliance of the British flag: emblazoning it famously on a jacket designed for David Bowie, and featuring it heavily in his most recent collection of corset dresses, mini bejewelled clutches, (above) and killer stiletto heels.

Other designers embracing all things Anglo in 2008 include: Stella McCartney, where garments were given an eccentric English twist as heraldic prints clashed with modern silhouettes in one of her most memorable collections to date…

Perhaps the most ingenious ode to Britannia though, was Betty Jackson’s cheeky Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn hotpants. Humorous, weather inappropriate, and a guaranteed talking point – you can’t get more British than that!

Team them with a black polo neck and tights as seen at Betty Jackson, or make like moi and wear them as cosy winter underwear – communal changing rooms need never be avoided again!

[Images]

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Fresh with being honoured designer of the year, Giles Deacon has confirmed his next career move will be to the high street. Teaming up with retailer New Look in a relationship that could well be for the long term, Deacon will begin with designing a capsule collection of 35 pieces for Spring 07, an accessories line is also in the works and actress Drew Barrymore looks set to be the face of the campaign…

While the concept of designers teaming up with high street retailers used to be quite exciting, take Luella and Target and Stella McCartney and H&M for example, it was quite dissapointing to read this morning that Giles Deacon would be partnering up with New Look, there is a residing feeling of yet another designer selling out to the allure of the high street and the commercial success it could possibly bring.

Before it “appeared” that the collaborations were in the interest of the people who wanted great designs at affordable prices however now the partnerships between designers and retailers are leaving quite a bad taste in the mouth of the fashion industry mainly because rather than bringing anything new to the table, designers are now more focused on appealing to the masses, which could end up being quite damaging not only to the industry but for the designer themselves.

{image: from a selection of Christmas looks at New Look}

[WWD]

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This is a very fair article from the Guardian on the state of Stella Mccartney. Of recent everyone seems to have it in for her. I must admit that her collections all seem very similar to me now. But at one time she was hot! I adored her stuff. I do hope she comes back with a vengeance and proves her critics wrong.

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