Big names on show at Fashion Week

More than 50 shows will take place over the next six days, showcasing designs from up-and-coming names alongside their famous counterparts.

Julien Macdonald is tipped as the week's highlight, with tickets to his exclusive show almost impossible to obtain.

The Welsh designer will reportedly present a more "grown-up" luxury brand at the Monday afternoon event, which replaces his usual celebrity-heavy evening show.

Veteran designer Vivienne Westwood's Red Label collection, which she launched in 1994, is also eagerly anticipated.

Dame Vivienne, who returned to London Fashion Week for this February's autumn-winter show after nine years, is best known for her bustier designs, the Westwood tartan and the 10in platform shoes from which Naomi Campbell once toppled on the catwalk.

Alice Temperley is the latest British designer to join the list of those returning to the London event after years showing abroad.

Temperley, who runs her multi-million pound fashion company from Notting Hill, has decided to return to London to show her spring summer 2009 collection after three years of showing at New York Fashion Week.

Luella Bartley, Nicole Farhi, Betty Jackson and Margaret Howell are other highly-regarded British designers expected to receive plenty of media coverage and celebrity attention.

Other big names preparing to unveil their new collections are Paul Smith, Christopher Kane and Giles Deacon.