Cash flashed at fashion week

Designer Ronit Zilkha hits the catwalk with her models

London Fashion week got off to an opulent start with models flashing real cash in a selection of bold creations worth thousands of pounds from Russell Sage.

The trendy young designer decorated his outfits with swirls of money in one of the first shows of the week.

The £10,000 worth of bank notes, borrowed from sponsors Britannic Money, was under heavy guard as the models paraded on the catwalk.

It will never be Milan and Paris but London will always be known for inventive street design

Ben de Lisi, fashion designer

There was real "rock chic" presence with Rolling Stone Ron Wood's daughter Leah modelling for Ronit Zilkha, one of Cherie Blair's favourite designers.

Other highlights of the opening day included evening shows by Elspeth Gibson and Robert Cary-Williams.

More than 3,000 visitors are expected to attend the six-day extravaganza featuring the work of 140 designers at 52 shows.

Web designer

But for most, it is seen as the poor relation of the European shows.

Fashion designer Ben de Lisi said: "It will never be Milan and Paris but London will always be known for inventive street design."

Internet shows will feature the latest designs

One of Britain's most highly regarded designers Paul Smith agrees.

He said: "In many ways it would be sensible probably to have my shows in Paris or Milan because you don't get the amount of important press attending the London fashion week as you would in Paris or Milan.

"You don't get the amount of international buyers.

However, it is breaking new ground with the world's first internet catwalk show being broadcast live from Fashion Week by Julien Macdonald.

The Welsh designer, famous for dressing Kelly Brook in a skimpy pink dress for the Snatch film premiere, will screen his show on www.icshowbiz.com on Monday at 1800GMT.

Around 30 designers, including Blaak and Daniel Herman, are set to make their debut at the event, which is mainly being held at the Natural History Museum.