As hour after hour passed conversations turned from “favourite show so far” to “how ridiculous the waiting time per show is.” One journalist described her most amazing show experience courtesy of DSquared in Milan, but even this came at a cost – a three hour wait and a venue so far away that her feet bled as she walked for miles in her oh-so-fashionable but highly unpractical shoes. Who said fashion was all about glamour!

 
Back to the shows and the opener of the day – ‘Unconditional’ revealed many an on-trend piece; slouchy pants, shirt-dresses, draped chiffon tops – and even harem style pants. Shoes – in case you are wondering – are continuing the autumn clunky feel with heavy platforms and solid heels. Numerous designers from Sinha-Stantic to John Rocha clad their models in heavy platforms.

 
Meanwhile, the Biba show caused a near riot with one too many trying to get into the oversubscribed show. Easy to wear pieces such as empire line frocks and fluid palazzo pants gave a gentle nod to Biba’s early years – designed by Bella Freud this time around. Hyped as the seasons “must see” the front row consisted of Jemima Khan and her rather bored looking partner Hugh Grant, along with Erin O’Connor and Anita Pallenberg. Kate Moss was also expected to attend but decided not to show at the last minute.

Maybe she was tied up signing contracts with Mr Phillip Green? After all the speculation it has finally been confirmed at TopShop HQ that Kate has signed a multi-million pound deal to design her own capsule range for the leading chain store. ‘Kate Moss for TopShop’ will debut in spring 2007. Fashion editors are already imagining what her winning designs will consist of – expect exposure galore over the coming months.

At the shows Gareth Pugh got the wildest round of applause for his exaggerated inflatables meets Skin Two rubber fetish collection. Not your usual garb for a trip to the local supermarket, but then Pugh is not your average kind of designer. Dramatic, strong and in-your-face only his colour palette of black and white resembled what was going on elsewhere.

Day 2 show highlights: Gareth Pugh, Preen and Basso & Brooke.

After party of the night: Basso & Brooke and SuperSuper magazine at Tantra.

By JoJo Iles