McQueen to launch new collection

Alexander McQueen: British fashion designer of the year

Fashion guru Alexander McQueen - who was named British Designer of the Year for the third time this week - will unveil his new catwalk collection on Wednesday.

Award Winners

BRITISH DESIGNER OF THE YEAR:
Alexander McQueen

NEW GENERATION DESIGNER:
Stella McCartney

BRITISH MODEL OF THE YEAR:
Kate Moss

CLASSIC DESIGN:
Sir Paul Smith

MENSWEAR DESIGNER:
Richard James

ACCESSORY DESIGNER:
Anya Hindmarch

RETAILER OF THE YEAR:
Top Shop

GLAMOUR AWARD:
Julien McDonald

CONTEMPORARY COLLECTIONS AWARD:
Burberry

STREET STYLE DESIGN:
I E Uniform

McQueen's show will be one of the highlights of this year's London Fashion Week, organised by the British Fashion Council .

Now in its eighth year the event has gone from strength to strength, attracting more than 3,000 visitors as well as 2,000 buyers and more than 1,200 fashion writers from around the world.

McQueen - known for his flamboyant style - scooped the top award at the British Fashion Awards ceremony on Tuesday night.

Receiving the award from Prince Charles, McQueen said: "It's ironic I'm here winning this award when I used to make his suits."

Other winners included Stella McCartney, who picked up the New Generation Designer award, and Kate Moss, who was named British Model of the Year.

'Worst dressed man'

Speaking at the event - an integral part of London Fashion Week - Prince Charles, said: "You are very brave to have invited me, I was once quoted the worst dressed man."

Kate Moss: British model of the year

The prince added: "The enormous number of people in this room tonight is testament to the health of an industry which employs over a quarter of a million people and produces a staggering £14bn worth of goods.

"This is an enormous achievement by any standards, but particularly in a sector which is so internationally competitive.

The evening marked the launch of a new partnership between the British Fashion Council and the Prince's Trust.

The prince said the aim of the partnership was to "set up in business more young fashion designers with practical and financial assistance from some established names".

Earlier in the evening he had spent time talking to several young fashion designers who have already received help and support from the Prince's Trust.

He said: "I suppose my ambition is to come back here in a few years and find that I am presenting the British Designer of the Year award to one of my Trust's businesses.

"And having met some of these young, and very talented, designers earlier this evening, this could be dream which becomes a reality."

London Fashion Week began with barely a dozen catwalk shows over three days and about 50 designers displaying their wares at the accompanying exhibition of hats, scarves, shoes and jewellery.

Based at the Natural History Museum, the modern event now draws thousands of visitors, buyers and fashion writers from around the world.

Sponsorship has trebled over the last five years, with Vidal Sassoon, the current sponsors, paying $5m to back the event over 10 seasons.