Lily loses out to Kate in high street showdown

These are the scenes that did not materialise as Lily Allen launched her high street fashion range.

Indeed, the response to the Lily Loves collection at New Look outlets across the country was distinctly lukewarm.

As the doors to the Oxford Street branch opened at 10am, no more than ten shoppers wandered in. Within half an hour, there were about 50 customers in store - an average number for the outlet.

It was maybe no surprise for Miss Allen. The 22-year-old pop star admitted at a private launch party the night before: "I don't really understand why anyone would come and buy these dresses so I am preparing for the shame of tumbleweed in Oxford Street when no one wants them."

It was all in stark contrast to the feverish scenes at nearby Topshop last week when crowds packed the streets before the launch of Kate Moss's fashion range.

There was further reason for Miss Moss to feel smug as shoppers queued for three hours outside the upmarket Barneys store in New York before her range went on sale there. She made a personal appearance in a revealing dress.

Her sense of satisfaction may be enhanced in the light of Miss Allen's criticism of her and Topshop owner Philip Green for designing clothes for "superskinny models".

Speaking of her collaboration with New Look, she said: "They have responsible role models and are very conscious of having positive body images - unlike Kate Moss and that ****ing billionaire who's thrown a load of money at her so we get to see what her wardrobe is like."

Miss Moss's range of trousers, dresses, shirts and shoes has been described by fashion experts as "broader" than the Lily Loves collection, which is limited to six prom-style dresses, peep-toed stilettos in different colours and a couple of accessories.

Her dresses also come in a lot cheaper, with the most expensive priced at £55 compared with Miss Moss's collection, which includes a £200 leather jacket.

New Look spokesman Catherine Reynolds claimed the collection would outsell Miss Moss's: "We will probably knock Kate Moss at Topshop for six. There's no comparison with Kate Moss, who is a fashionista.

"Lily Allen is a style icon and what she represents is different. She is a normal girl, very real girl next door who is not size zero."

She added: "We were not expecting a high turnout because this collection is not about that."