Our reporters fought to get a view of the 2009 London Fashion Week catwalks to bring you the inside scoop.

Rashmi Ray & Farah Syed

This year’s fashion week was hectic. With over 100 catwalks, it was impossible to conquer them all, so I went to three (she says laughing). The Roman Pires show took place on day four of the event and was the most memorable. Tall, elegant models showcased oversized tops blaring quirky designs and colours for the spring/summer 2010 collection.

Wearing my red press pass gave me access to most areas, free haircuts by Tony and Guy, complimentary makeovers by MAC and cute chocolate cupcakes. It’s these perks in the industry that have kept me going.

When I arrived at the exhibition I remember feeling slightly intimidated by the tall flawless looking models, the event was bigger than I expected it to be. Thankfully I was wearing heeled boots, although they didn’t help much.

Ensembles that invaded the week would have been called a fashion faux pas a year ago. Take for example faded black thigh high socks with your dad’s old Dr Martins and a pair of shorts. Something definitely changes in us when we enter a fashion zone – we go fashion bonkers. Models can get away with anything. I realised if you have the height and a pretty face you can wear your grandma’s clothes and look wow, but who knows what the response would be if an average person wore it.

As the queue would grow for a show I prepared myself for the riot of international photographers, all racing to get the fashion gossip first. Cameramen barged past to get their videos finished and sent to deadline. It was chaotic but exciting. When day two arrived I came in with sneakers and confidence because I realised it’s how you carry yourself off that stands out.

2010 trends

Funky designs are at the forefront of 2010’s spring/summer collection. Look forward to soft pastel dresses with attention to the shoulders teamed with metallic embellished accessories. Also watch out for the bright maxi-dress with intricate print detail. The exhibition was full of designers with unusual concepts. Eccentric jewellery stole the show, especially the opposing collections by Mawi. The pretty feminine Indian Rose collection and the dynamite pack which caught the most press attention for its uniqueness. You would definitely stand out wearing a bullet holder ring.

Overall the four days of fashion madness I attended was a great opportunity to take art back to its roots, and meet some larger than life people.