Early morning starts, back to back tube journeys to and from opposite ends of London, 18 hours in numbing heels, lengthy queues for late-starting 10 minute shows and fantastically glamorous evening soirees overflowing with candy coloured cocktails and the flawless fashion glitterati.

As exhausting as this all may sound, London Fashion Week is to industry insiders what carnival is to your unapologising late-night raver. Occurring twice a year it is a much anticipated event where designers get to show off months of blood, sweat and tears, while buyers, editors and stylists jostle under the same roof to examine the latest in British design talent. It’s an extravagant affair which means gaining entry can often feel like holding a golden ticket to the official Oscars after bash.

As it all starts again this Friday with designers presenting their A/W 09 collections, we can expect to see the usual fashion giants alongside off schedule shows from less established talent. One such design newbie is Eun Jeong. The Korean Central St Martins graduate is set to stage her first solo show this Friday after dazzling the heavyweight fashion fringe panel with her capsule collection of draping toga dresses and origami style detailing. Other designers to watch are Steve J and Yoni P, Qasimi and Ashish whom sparkled last season.

With this Fashion Week marking the 25th anniversary of the event, what better way to ensure that it’s bigger than ever then to throw some testosterone into the mix. The introduction of a new menswear showcase on the last day aims to highlight collections that can sometimes be overshadowed.

So as the fashion elite scrape together their finest and prepare to grace the front rows, the public are also invited to muzzle in on some of the action at the Fashion Week Weekender taking place from 4th – 8th March. The event gives budding fashionistas the chance to watch a catwalk show, attend beauty clinics and pick up designer pieces for a fraction of their price.

www.londonfashionweek.co.uk