ENGLAND: Two of Britain's most commercially successful designers show their spring/summer collections at London Fashion Week

Jasper Conran and Betty Jackson, two of the most commercially successful designers to show at London Fashion Week, displayed their spring/summer collections on Wednesday (September 20). Known for his monochrome tailoring, Britain's foremost modern classicist Jasper Conran paired his favourite black, white and cream with splashes of hot pink and orange. For daywear, Conran's signature tailoring could be seen in skinny fitted shirts, long tight-cut or wide trousers and knee length pencil skirts. For evening it was high-glam, with floor-trailing dresses, mainly in chiffon and often sizzling with colour. The collection had a 40s feel, with opulent fabrics and sleek silhouettes. Conran has been designing for over 20 years and is known for his clean-lined, subtly tailored shapes and high-quality fabrics. The show was held in his flagship London store, where he also sells menswear, homewear, fragrance and luggage. Betty Jackson, like Conran, has established a reputation as a wearable designer. Her spring/summer collection was filled with little sun dresses and laid-back linen suits. The colour palate was neutral, with navy, cream and pale grey highlighted by the odd splash of lilac or lemon. Jackson said her collection was influenced by the painter Edward Hopper. "It's a bit about individual girls now, you know, less sort of stuff going on. It's very simple, sculptural shapes, you know, simple dresses. And the colour was inspired by Edward Hopper, the artist, and he does these beautiful almost lonely paintings that are full of magenta and navy and then they've got this sort of shaft of light going through, so that's the idea," she said. Jackson began her company in 1981 and has won several British Fashion and Style Awards. She designs capsule collections for several British high street stores and opened her own shop in 1991. She was made an MBE in 1987.

ITN Source | September 21, 2006

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