London Fashion Week latest: Charles Anastase goes grunge

The French designer, who has a loyal following of celeb fans, including Daisy Lowe, Pixie Geldof and Alexa Chung (only the latter was absent from the front row yesterday) has become a hot ticket at fashion week after showing here for the first time last season.

And for autumn/ winter he stunned the packed (and slightly overheated) fashion crowd with a punky, grungy collection that referenced everyone from Kurt Cobain to Malia Obama (President O's 10-year-old daughter).

Highlights included the layering of plaid and velvet pieces, warm mohair princess coats and the cute quilted pieces (pictured), in a show which was a real departure from what we have seen from Anastase up until now.

Gone were the girlie Degas inspired tutu's and pretty Alice in Wonderland references. This was, in Charles' words an 'homage to adolescence in the 1990s'. And whilst for the most part his grunge revival was fresh, new and exciting the show would have been stronger if edited down a little. Something we're sure he'll get right on his third time round in September.

By Laurelle Gilbert

Posted: 22nd February 2009