London Fashion Week is not without criticism

Fashion author, commentator, critic and fervent supporter of young talent, Colin McDowell, has criticised London Fashion Week, which he dubbed as "a festival of childish self-indulgence." McDowell, who founded Fashion Fringe and was a

leading fashion journalist for The Times broadsheet, said if London's designer's collections were stripped of their loud prints, garish colours and crazy shapes, and their work shown only in toiles, the lack of technical ability of these leading designers would be more than evident.

C omparing London's designers to that of Paris, Milan and New York, McDowell says we must step up our professionalism as the fashion industry is now one giant, international catwalk, and the immediacy and visibility of each designer's work means the young guard of designers are competing with the established houses and showing on the same platform.

The British press generally applauds and supports its talent, although some of the shows this season were 'so out there' that one wonders where these designers will be in three, five or ten seasons from now.

McDowell wasn't all negative about LFW. He lauded designers Christopher Kane and Erdem for building on their aesthetics yet staying true to their roots. He also praised Burberry for flying the flag for British fashion saying saying the trench never looked so glamorous.

While not everybody has taken McDowell's criticism in stride, the commentator aptly said creative endeavours require critical feedback if they are to develop and mature. It's up to LFW designers to take the feedback and use it constructively.