With catwalks set up across the capital, London Fashion Week is in full swing. But do any of the catwalk creations actually filter down to the High Street? The Magazine heads to Luton to find out.
The biggest names of the fashion world are in the capital for what has been hyped as the most star-studded London Fashion Week yet.
Even American Vogue editor Anna Wintour - said to be the most influential figure in fashion - is attending for the first time in several years.
But does what appears on the catwalk actually filter down to the shops frequented by us mere mortals? The Magazine has selected key trends from the last London Fashion Week to see if any have hit the High Street as predicted. Step forward Luton Fashion Week, with models hot from the Bedfordshire town, out and about on their lunch breaks.
80s BLOUSON JACKET
Antonio Fonseca, 42, a caretaker, says: "It doesn't surprise me that these jackets are supposed to be back in style, I don't think they ever went out. I have had mine for several years.
"The style suits me and I like it so much I have several of these jackets in different colours for different occasions.
"I see pictures from London Fashion Week on the television and in papers but I don't follow it, I don't really follow what other people say is fashionable.
"I like to look good but I have my own style and I know what suits me."
SKINNY JEANS
Sophie Connelly, 16, a student, says: "I bought my skinny jeans a few months ago. I'd started seeing them in shops and in magazines and just thought I'd try them on and see if I liked them.
"I know about London Fashion Week but I don't really take much interest in the clothes as they're not really made for my age range or my style.
"I take my inspiration for clothes from other people I see in the street. If I think something looks good on someone else I give it a go.
"I also look at people in the public eye whose style I admire, like Gwen Stefani and Sienna Miller. I adapt what they do for myself."
MAN BAGS
Michael McKeown, 64, a researcher, says: "I've had this bag for years so I guess I'm ahead of the trend, possibly even setting it.
"My wife used to be a fashion illustrator so I am aware of London Fashion Week. In fact I think I went to one of its catwalk show the other year. No sorry, it was a Croydon Technical College show. It was very good though.
"I do look out for the men's designers, like Ozwald Boateng. But when it comes to my own style it depends what my wife buys me.
"But I did put thought into this bag. I chose it after trying out several different styles. This was the best and I have stuck with it for years. It's practical and I think that's the key with a man bag."
PENCIL SKIRTS
Kay Adeyinka, 38, who works for a solicitor, says: "I just bought this skirt because I liked it, not because it was fashionable.
"I do follow fashion to a degree and know London Fashion Week is on, but it doesn't influence me. I have my own style and just go into shops and see what I like.
"I think some of the trends do filter down from the catwalk to the High Street, but just a few.
"I think most people have their own style and adapt it a bit to the latest trends but aren't fashion victims."
Add your comments using the form below.
Good to see that the BBC can produce a good tongue-in-cheek article still. The "Man Bags" was especially good; I'm still laughing now.
D I, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (ex-UK)
Skinny jeans? I thought we'd waved goodbye to that one for good, once people realised that no one looks good in them. What's next? Leggings?
Sarah, Epsom, UK
People often confuse fashion with clothing style; fashion is based around cycles of trends, style is based more around one's sense of what looks good and suits the wearer. Increasingly I'm noticing that fashion is more and more intertwined with people's social scene - ie followers of a particular music scene will most likely follow a distinct look, and I think this is due to the way that brands increasingly advertise products as part of a certain lifestyle.
Karl Chads, London, UK
As a Green Party activist, I would say that in the end fashion is all about generating waste. The more you try to follow fashion, the more likely you are to buy things that look very dated, very quickly. People can be comfortable and look good without following fashions, and walking or cycling instead of sitting in a car can do more to make you look good than clothes ever can.
Ben Foley, Bedford, Great Britain
I agree with Ben, but it's OK to like fashion and you can make your own clothes and recycle by sharing clothes, buying second hand, and buying some quality items that will last. People can make choices about fair trade items, hand crafted, organic or locally made clothes too. If fashion gives you confidence without being wasteful or getting into debt I think it's positive.
Charlotte, Lincolnshire
I don't follow fashion trends rigorously but the latest long, loose tops and skinny jeans have really caught my eye. The best thing about this latest fashion is that the loose tops look graceful, hide flab and let your skin breath and above all you don't have to show your underwear every time you bend down to pick up something.
Asra Fareed, London
I think Brits are more conscious about popular fashion than anywhere else in the world. This is not necessarily a good thing as you tend to see herds of clones on British city streets in their skinny jeans/wide belts/ballet pumps/ra-ra skirts/Balenciaga imitation handbags.
Bee Kay, London
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