London Fashion Week: SS15 Day 3

Margaret Howell opened her show with masculine-inspired look of a sandy beige blazer worn over a black trouser, black v-neck and white plimsoles. The pared-down styling belie the label's strength of offering real clothes as opposed to fantasy frocks for the red carpet. Elsewhere, a cream cashmere sweater worn loosely over a white pleated skirt, or a pretty sleeveless grey dress worn with a black belt were surefire clothes that can be relied on.

Topshop Unique's collection drew inspiration from the subculture of the British Isles and the faded glamour of its seaside – with the final looks reminiscent of the dresses which swirled around the long-gone dancehalls and ballrooms of coastal getaway towns. Key looks included athletic stripes on v-necks and dresses, optic white skirts and blocks of colour.

Marios Schwab was less structured and more fluid as we've come to expect from this London Fashion Week stalwart. This lines are soft with folds, drapes and little jigsaw pieces of asymmetry coming together on the body in contrasting fabrics and in a complete wardrobe, encompassing everything from a trench coat to an evening dress. Photo print dresses where ancient Greek statues meet Grecian column dresses, traced back to Schwab's roots

Ashley Williams sent teenage rebels down the runway to a soundtrack that included The Smiths. It was Williams highly anticipated first solo show, which saw Asian-inspired garments, with one skirt depicting a girl receiving a sharp kick by a stiletto. Fashion week is a serious business, but Williams’s cheeky graphics reminded what makes London and its emerging design talent so interesting.

Temperley merged its Temperley London mainline and second line Alice in one catwalk presentation this season. The result was a younger and fresher collection that felt less resort-like, but still had Temperley's boho luxe attitude. "I was inspired by colour and print from very naughty Japanese paintings, woodblock prints, surreal sea creatures and lots of mixing of layers and kimono references with our looks both for day and evening," Temperley said backstage. This was evident in gingham dresses, lace accents and red artery-esque prints.
 
Images: LFW SS15