Roving Reporter: Richard Nicoll

The colour palette was simple (almost exclusively cream and soft pink), but the structure was anything but: Richard Nicoll won me over with a series of experimental trenches, Chanel-turns-spaceship corsetted pieces and a catwalk appearance by Jessica Stam. The triple threat.

How boring is a white, double-breasted trench without a bit of PVC? And why wear a simple grey sheath dress when you can get one with a faux corset on the front? Everything from Katharine Hepburn-style, wide-leg trousers to white pencil skirts with half-moon front slits had my vote.

Touches of metallic gold and the occasional white glove provided extra interest, and they remind me why celebs like Nicola Roberts is remaining a big fan.

Roving Reporter: PPQ

Talk about close quarters. Amy Molyneaux and Percy Parker hosted the PPQ show in Burlington Arcade, and between paparazzi clogging the aisle trying to get shots of Nicola Roberts (in harlequin-print Moschino) and Alexa Chung, and Hilary Alexander and Colin McDowell rushing through a space where one crossed ankle could mean you get tripped, it was a miracle only one person was carried out with an injured leg.

That aside, the show had the typical quirk that will keep the brand popular with offbeat musicians, models/ever-present socialites (talking to you, Chung!) and London eccentrics. Daisy Lowe started the show with a colour-blocked, long-sleeved mini dress, and Pixie Geldof stomped out in red hot pants and a matching ruffled turtleneck. As expected, brand friend Alice Dellal also put in an appearance.

The 'Proletariat Chic' collection moved everywhere from metallic-stripe jumper sets to full-length jersey 'I Love Peas' dresses to Victorian-influenced, lace-collared minis, but my favourite look was a yellow-checked wool wrap coat worn with high-waisted, cornflower-blue jeans and a vintage-look tee.

This, plus an after-party at Cafe de Paris and a bottle of sherry to take home put me in a good mood for the cab ride to my flat. Or maybe it was the chili and passion fruit shots and the abundance of cocktails. Either way.

Seen and Overheard: Big Hair and Pop Stars

What did Daily Telegraph Fashion Director Hilary Alexander think of the LCF master’s runway show?
“I loved all the big hair and makeup,” she told her extra-fashiony group. (Well, Hillary, we agree! And let’s hope we see models like Irina Kulikova sporting the same look next Fashion Week.)

Who does sequiny superstar Manjit Deu want to see wearing his dresses?
“Oh, so many people – Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga…” (We say: Just Dance, Manjit.)

Which looks at the MA show captured Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts’ attention?
“I loved the dresses with all the big knits,” she told the Pack. (But Nicola, we love your nude-and-neon Richard Nicoll mini-dress!)

Runway Roundup: Emilia Bariamova

Emilia Bariamova, have you been sneaking off with Giles Deacon?

The bigger-means-better approach to knitwear he took a few seasons ago was fully present at the LCF student’s runway show.

Start with a sweater dress that cowls to mid-belly, with sleeve holes that gape nearly as low, and move on to a dress all in white with a turtleneck piled to lip level. These knits are not for the weak.

One of Emilia’s most interesting risks was a white, mega-cable knit sweater dress with dangling adornments that could perhaps be described as…yarn sausages or woolly tails. Two layers of the add-ons circled the chest and hips, and although editorially interesting, there were pieces that showed her talent better.

That’s not to say the Fash Pack team didn’t love it. We did, and more importantly, an extra-special member of the front row was pleased. Emilia, you now can count Nicola Roberts as one of your fans.