Fashion forward in London as Topshop kicks off shows and parties in the capital

London Fashion Week got off to a glorious, Technicolor start, shrugging off the growing concern that hangs over the multi-million-pound event.

The six-day event, which sees the international fashion industry decamp to London to view the best of British, began with Topshop revealing its Unique collection for spring-summer 2009.

It did not disappoint - despite the status of the event in London coming under threat from America.

With New York insisting the dates of its own fashion weeks be moved to begin on the second Friday of February and September, London's biannual fashion showcase - worth an estimated £100 million to the economy - is being bullied and squeezed by its older, established rival.

Emergency talks held by the British Fashion Council this week - and including Topshop's billionaire owner Sir Philip Green - will attempt a fightback.

But the likelihood is that London's event will be reduced to four days at best from next year.