As the midway point reaches Alternative Fashion Week, backstage dramas were on full display. For the models however it was business as usual but for the stylists and designers the tension was plain to see.

Models found varying ways to relax before the runway collections, some read, and others meditated

Some models decided on a more spiritual route.

Showcasing the best of the capital’s creativity on the runway today were designers who included; Havering College, Nicola Sawyers, Mary Ratcliffe, Adel Andic, Yeshaswini B.K., Amanda Wai Yin Ng, London Printworks Trust, ALQ UK Brand, Gemma Wadsworth, Elisabeth Hamlyn, Amy Day, Maartje de Man, Amisha Ghadianli and Colchester School of Art & Design.

Adel Andic’s collection of fine leathers coupled with elegant pleating was a sure hit with today’s audience.

Adel: fine leathers coupled with elegant pleating was based on concepts surrounding protection and elegance.

 The collection reflected a military and masculine theme while the use of soft fine leathers with elegant pleating produces a tailored feminine collection for all occasions.

Havering College has been making a name for itself in recent years and todays collection will further enhance the colleges reputation.

This collection was a striking avant exstravaganza.

Amanda Wai Yin NG had based her collection on ‘Frozen Illusion and Internal Torment’.

Dynamic asymmetrical silouettes were the hallmark of her collection.

Amanda said; “This collection is based on the story of the ‘Fallen Angel of Satan’ and the temptation of the powerful Anne Boley. The use of drape and structure, create these silouettes.”

Amy Day’s celestrical macabre collection using latex reminded us why this show is infact alternative.

This collection combined a limited colour pallete with latex layering and textures, as well as using an eco-conscious slant. Inspired by a new romantic pop-culture and a fascination with angels and demons the collection had vision and proved popular amongst the dancehall crowd.

Rounding off a great third day was Elisabeth Hamilyn’s fantastic knitwear which was inspired by Celtic Knotwork.

Body conscious garments are combined with twisted and cabled knitted forms in luxurey merino and lambs wool.

Day two of Alternative Fashion Week continued to build on the success from the opening day. With the spotlight firmly on London’s designers to deliver, today’s collections included designs from Hackney College, 4.2morrow, Charlie Chambers, Stacey Richards, CoolTan Arts, Prilly Lewis, Kimberley Startup, Hayley Tresize, Georgia Nash and West Thames College.

Models began arriving at the shows at 10.am. Backstage, make-up artists and stylists were briefed by designers whilst models hoped to be dressed in the ‘killer outfit.’

At 1.15 sharp the designers were introduced to the press.

Tuesday saw some fantastic design collections but the ones that stood out for FLYER included; Charlie Chambers who described her collection as ‘That Indie look’.

Combining reclaimed vintage clothing to maximum effect the show was a big hit with the knowledgeable crowd.

Kimberley Startup’s collection was fun and was a celebration of childhood. Her collection was themed Come On Now Kimi Grow Up.

Prilly Lewis (Prillywear) added a touch of maturity and sophistication.

Prilly Lewis (Prillywear) added a touch of maturity and sophistication.

The models sashayed down the runways with effortless ease.

Hayley Tresize’s collection of quirky recycled couture had substance and was a very well thought through.

This collection had class and integrity.

Saving the best till last was Georgia Nash.

Her designs inspired by ‘The Nutcracker‘featured a very personal selection of couture garments that were both innovative and diverse.

This collection had everything and at times was reminiscent of the flamenco and the matador.

The sign of a great design is when the models genuinely love the outfits they were wearing.

“If she, Georgia Nash can keep this level of creativity going she will undoubtedly reach the top” said a FLYER Newspaper reporter.

Georgie Nash’s attention to detail stood out from the crowd.

Alternative London Fashion Week kicked off today (Monday), showcasing the creative talents from ten designers daily, Alternative Art’s annual fashion week collections are a must for anyone involved in the fashion industry.

The event is used as a spring-board to launch new talent and showcase the creative collections form emerging independent designers. Day one included a collection of highly accomplished designers, a few of which are included below.

Highlights of the shows included a fantastic collection by Beatrice K Newman. Beatrice recently showcased her woman’s wear collection at Graduate Fashion Week last summer and said: “my designs were based on Anastasia, the last women Tsar.”

Other collections which stood out included designs by Lucie Ashworth.

Lucie’s fetish wear was based on 1920’s glamour and decadence.

Olga Shishkina’s Futuristic metallic creations were simply awesome and although seemingly complex the models floated down the runway with effortless ease.

She will be a designer to watch for the future.

50’s inspired collections by Islington College were appreciated by the London crowd.

The collection named ‘Kitchen Sink Drama – Apron’s with 50’s flavour’ by City of Islington College has been used before but this collection was however well constructed throughout.

After fifteen years, The Afro Hair and Beauty show has reportedly terminated its contract with Alexandra Palace music and entertainment venue and will be relocating to the Business, Design Centre, Islington from May 2010.

From its humble beginnings in Kensington town Hall, the shows popularity resulted in rapid expansion. Alexandra Palace was for many years seen as the ideal location to host the show but due to a combination of factors the shows organisers faced a difficult decision.

The shows organiser, Grace Kelly reported in the Haringey Independent:  “It’s sad to leave Alexandra Palace, but the show is all about fashion and staying fresh, and the time came for us to move on.

“It was once a great venue, but the building is falling into disrepair and it doesn’t look as good as it once did.

“A few years ago, there were plans to revamp the Palace with bars and restaurants, and we were eager to be a part of it, but it never materialised.”

In 2009 the show was hit severely by engineering works resulting in the closure of Wood Green train station, this serves Alexandra Palace. It was reported by FLYER at the time: “show’s such as this should be compensated by rail networks that continue to disrupt and wreck travel plans across the capital.”

The Afro Hair and Beauty show is on at the Islington Business Design Centre on May 30 and 31 2010.

Packed full to the brim with news, celebrity gossip and fashion, the award winning FLYER Newspaper is the paper of choice for a new generation.

Available from Hackney to Harlesden and from Brixton to Barnet FLYER newspaper is the proven paper of choice for Britain’s diverse communities.

Also look out for our New (FREE) celebrity magazine due out this April. Edited by Journalist Aisha Phipps, this is your chance to get close and personal with Mary J Blige, Keisha Buchanan, Saturdays, Sabrina Washington , Naomi Campbell to name just a few of the celebs who’ve graced this issue.

To find a stockist near you please email info@flyernewspaper.com

From the quirky to the edgy, like them or loathe them but you can’t avoid them, the front row celeb is considered almost as important as the collection.

So who really did rock during London Fashion Week?

If there was a prize for ‘The most visited shows’ then Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts would’ve achieved first place. She was mobbed by fans and then posed for some pictures with representatives campaigning for more models from diverse backgrounds.

Keeping it in the family, Peaches and sister Pixie Geldof daughters of Bob Geldof shared their time equally. ‘FLYSPY’ spotted the girls at Henry Holland, Pam Hogg and Unique but we suspect they visited many more. Pixie was joined by pals Alexa Chung and Remi Nicole at Unique.

Older sibling Peaches was snapped at Pam Hogg.

Talloula Adejemi the UK’s favourite model of the moment was spotted at Vivien Westwood, Amanda Wakely, PPQ and Fashion for Relief. She was joined by X-Factor babe- Alexandra Burke.

Pixie Lott was snapped at PPQ and rocked in metallic turquoise.

Noisettes front women Shingai Shinowa was the star attraction at Basso and Brooke.

The Saturdays were spotted at Jaeger.

The Sugagababes were spotted leaving Jasper Conran’s fantastic show.

Naomi Harris was snapped arriving at Viv Westwood’s show, Kate Moss tried to leave discretely but dropped her handbag. Paparazzi seized on the moment.

Kate reportedly said… “Not even one paparazzo offered to hand me back my bag.”

Tagoe Sisters

Following her success after being crowned Miss Black-Britain 2009, Rikaya Tagoe has joined forces with her sister Chantelle to launch the ‘Tagoe Sisters’.

The launch took place at the ‘Collection’ in South Kensington, London.

Speaking at the launch Rikaya said: “The aim of our brand is to bring together beauty, quirky personalities and multiculturalism to the world of fashion.”

Chantelle who is the partner of England international footballer Emile Heskey also works as a TV presenter.

Elizabeth Emanuel supplied the fashion for the launch, pictures: FLYPICS