Le freak, c’est chic in playful shows

LONDON Fashion week lived up to its reputation for the offbeat yesterday with contrasting autumn/winter collections by Arkadius and Jessica Ogden that shared a distinctive sense of fun.

Inspired by an elegant old woman strolling in Warsaw, Polish-born Arkadius sent his models out in seductive black and copper-coloured tunics with mini skirts and high-heeled boots wrapped in stockings.

He brought a military motif to sharply cut black and grey bolero-style jackets, dressed his models in pale green and red skirts and added oversize heart-shaped earrings and towering hats to emphasise the playful side of sexy.