As the summer month of August (noted as the quietest month of the year in the fashion world) draws to a close, London’s fashion junkies eagerly anticipate the arrival of the most important week in the fashion calender, London Fashion Week. Following its sister event, New York Fashion week, the fortnight is understood as the most creative and dynamic event on the international fashion calender. London prepares to pick up where New York leaves off, hitting the catwalk in the neo-classical surrounds of Somerset House from the 17th – 22nd September. Whilst London Fashion Week may be a trade-only event, it by no means stops those fashionista’s out there getting the scoop on London’s hottest designs for Autumn 2010-11 with Vodafone London Fashion Week following on from the catwalk from the 23rd-26th with fashion hot off the press. However, for those lucky enough to get an insiders insight on the week of Fashion, we want to know just what they can expect from this years designers and what has inspired them for the new season’s style.

According to fashion designer Todd Lynn, ‘London lives and breathes fashion – the street is still the best way to get a snapshot of London life.’ This seems to resonate amongst many of London’s designers this year who, similarly to Lynn, have taken to the streets to inspire them for their Autumn 2010 collections.

Issa London by Daniella Issa Helayel, is set to take to the catwalk on Sunday 19th September. Helayel, inspired by Portobello Market on a Saturday which ‘encapsulates fashionable London’, has also taken inspiration from the urban atmosphere of the scene at Shoreditch House. Amongst the buildings and bad habits, the overcast and grey weather has influence the colour palette of Helayel’s designs. Along with fabric that is ‘cute and not too tough’ we are expecting to see ‘multi-functional clothes for an urban lifestyle’ from Issa London. Paul Smith’s Autumn line is also said to be influenced by the hubbub of London, previewing on Monday 20th September. From the East End and Brick Lane to London’s multicultural atmosphere, street-life and lateral thinking, Paul Smith has worked London’s unique culture into the essence of his new collection. Inspired by the notion that ‘everything goes in terms of fashion, that we can mix old with new, high-street with catwalk’, Paul Smith believes we are less locked into entire looks from one designer, predicting exciting new things for the fashion forecast.