The best of London fashion week – in pictures

Rake designer Clive Darby puts the finishing touch – in this case a Rake lapel pin – on boxer Amir Khan's outfit for the evening Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

… and not a moment before they step on to the red carpet Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

Television presenter Dermot O'Leary arrives at Claridge's for the event, and like many other guests can't resist posing next to the timelessly cool vintage Mercedes 280SL Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

A stylist attends to a model's hair backstage. For the event, Darby and Rake chose to use models from all walks of life, or, as Darby refers to them: “Men with other jobs” Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

The Rake AW12 collection aims to put a 21st-century spin on classics of British tailoring. In this case, the white linen suit Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

A nod to Edwardian dandyism allows for a breakout of clashing patterns and blocks of subdued colour Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

… while this piece wouldn't be out of place at a gin-soaked afternoon party Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

The Mercedes 280SL. Probably the only star of the evening brave enough to stay out in the rain Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

One of the world's top male models, David Gandy, surveys the aftermath of the Rake AW12 menswear event Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

Avowed clotheshorse Tinie Tempah is one of many young British style icons to attend the event Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

Famous for dressing David Bowie, among other musical icons, it comes as little surprise that Todd Lynn sticks resolutely to black and other muted tones for his AW12 collection Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

Far from eschewing colour, Daniella Issa Helayel embraces it via the bold patterns and prints of her Silk Road-inspired collection Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

Issa's AW12 collection is largely inspired by her recent journey on the Trans-Siberian Rail, but she also namechecks From Russia with Love as one of her touchstones for the range Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

… and it isn't hard to spot the Bond Girl glamour on show here Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

While much of Jasper Conran's collection is anchored in restrained, autumnal tones, the occasional flash of striking metallics is allowed to shine through Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

Hong Kong-born, Dublin-based designer John Rocha is known for his dramatic experiments within single items and a love of baroque excess Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

There is never any shortage of photographers ready to catch front row guests at LFW Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

… nor those outside looking to snap the most stylish attendees Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

LFW's very own Red Riding Hood Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

The nearest thing to all-weather six-inch heels Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

Todd Lynn is known for his sharp tailoring – employing sleek, futuristic lines and marrying them with frayed, rock'n'roll embellishments. Here he adds a touch of German expressionism into the mix Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

Lynn was not the only one to evoke the spirit of the 20s, with Brazilian-born designer Daniella Issa Helayel drawing on the glamour of the golden age of rail after her recent journey on the Trans-Siberian railway Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

Issa is a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge and her sister, Pippa Middleton. Issa's AW12 collection could be seen as an attempt to introduce the Silk Road to the Kings Road Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

If Issa has anything to do with it, the babushka look may finally make an appearance on the streets of Chelsea next season ... Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

… but if that seems unlikely, it is a good bet many of the eastern prints adorning her collection will, along with variations of her signature draped dresses Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

The colour blocking trend doesn't seem to be going anywhere for the time being ... Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

… although some have opted to tone down their choice of colours for the style Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

A healthy disregard for convention is often what marks a fashionista out from the pack – in this case giving the 60s it girl look a 2012 makeover Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

London Fashion Week is known for wearing its Britishness on its sleeve, with many looks borrowing heavily from traditional dress. Here, a guest appropriates the classic colour combinations of a Highlander pipe band, albeit one dressed by Vivienne Westwood Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Merceds-Benz

As London retains some its winter chill, even the fashionistas are inclined to adopt practical headwear when necessary Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

Designer John Rocha leads his models out on to the runway after his AW12 show Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

Jasper Conran opts for a suitably autumnal palette for his AW12 collection … Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

… and in doing so helps to keep the focus on his elegant and restrained designs Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

Conran is known for high street collections that never deviate drastically from what he premieres on the catwalk Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

… but like all good designers he leaves some room for a bit of fashion week flair Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

The recent polka dot trend continues to be embraced by London's fashionistas, as displayed here in a street style snap from Somerset House Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

Since The Sartorialist blog first appeared in 2005, the status of some fashion bloggers and street style photographers now rivals that of style experts in traditional media outlets Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

There is never a shortage of stylish candidates for photo ops at Somerset House during LFW Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

No London fashion outing is complete without a dose of Vivienne Westwood Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

Guests arrive at Somerset House in a full bloom of colour Photograph: Robin Kitchin/Mercedes-Benz

London Fashion Week (LFW to the fashionistas), one of the most anticipated and influential fashion industry events in the world, returns to Somerset House (and surrounding exhibition spaces) on 17-22 February. Mercedes-Benz is the official car sponsor once again this year for this spectacular event.
Photograph: Robin Kitchin

LFW is one of the most prestigious events on the global fashion calendar. Thanks to designers such as Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood, it is considered ‘the’ place to unveil the fashion world's boldest trends. However, the style-merits of studded slippers continue to be the subject of debate.
Photograph: Robin Kitchin

Considered one of the “big four” fashion weeks alongside Paris, Milan and New York, LFW is attended by huge numbers of journalists, celebrities, photographers and bloggers. They come to see the industry's most creative and inspiring stars and new-comers to the industry, showing designs that range from the finest haute couture and the wildly avant garde to the hippest street styles.
Photograph: Robin Kitchin

Holly Fulton debuted at London Fashion Week in 2009 with her first collection of art deco-inspired couture and accessories. She won Scotland's Young Designer of the Year in 2009 and 2010, as well as an Elle Style award. Here we get an inside look at the styling for her SS12 show at LFW in September 2011.
Photograph: Robin Kitchin

Looking for hair straight off the catwalk? You might find a tip or two here courtesy of Daniel and Luke Hersheson, a London father-and-son hairdressing team renowned for their forward-thinking styles and avoidance of the spotlight.
Photograph: Robin Kitchin

With the demands of last minute touch-ups and little margin for error, makeup artists and hair stylists are some of the unsung heroes behind any fashion week event.
Photograph: Robin Kitchin

Holly Fulton built on last season's colour-blocking trend for her Spring/Summer 2012 collection by including some extravagant, 60s-inspired embellishments.
Photograph: Robin Kitchin

The curtain call is a triumphant moment in the premiere of any designer's new collection, as buyers, journalists and guests are offered the chance of one last look at the range before the designer takes to the runway to soak up the applause.
Photograph: Robin Kitchin

Like many a name that has graced the runways of London fashion week, Todd Lynn is a graduate of Central Saint Martins. Having made his name dressing the likes of Marilyn Manson and U2, Todd's collections can always be relied upon to deliver sharp, androgynous tailoring and a healthy dose of black.
Photograph: Robin Kitchin

Behind the heavily managed exterior of any runway lies the chaos and vibrancy of the backstage “engine room”. This holds even more true for any fashion week event, as models and stylists often have to run between several shows a day. Here we see pre-show preparations for Marios Schwab's SS12 collection.
Photograph: Robin Kitchin