Reputation is one of the British Fashion Council's key pillars for growing the fashion industry in the UK, and in Natalie Massenet's speech opening London Fashion Week this morning, she noted that, 'London is truly the capital of creativity.' Talking about the ways in which the importance of London's creative industries has been cemented on the global consciousness, she cited the BAFTAs and BRIT Awards as examples from other industries flying the flag for the city, and noted that the latest British Fashion Awards were the biggest yet – when your support comes in the form of Kate Moss, Miuccia Prada and Donnatella Versace, as it did at the September event, people take notice. 

Indeed, this reputation pays off, with Massenet proudly pointing out that the BFC has raised over £250,000 in education funds since last season's fashion week, and the value of the British Fashion Industry has grown by 20 per cent to be worth an impressive £26 billion over the last four years. 

'We still need the support, cross-industry collaboration and commitment,' she said at this morning's opening event at Somerset House, where most of the week's shows will be held, but with confidence that 'you will be inspired and impressed by the collections you'll see over the coming days', highlights of which include Jonathan Saunders, J.W. Anderson, Christopher Kane and Burberry, there's little doubt that investors will be clamouring to get a piece of the London fashion pie. 

We'll be bringing you show reports from London Fashion Week for the next five days and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for up-to-the-minute updates.