Designers old and new dazzle at London Fashion Week

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Coral pink mohair bags and oversized green coats pinned at the waist with matching belts featured in John Rocha's collection.

John Rocha, a household name in Britain who designs a high street collection for department store Debenhams, said he took his inspiration from the countryside surrounding Dublin, where he has lived for more than 20 years.

"It's based a lot on the Irish winter countryside, so almost like tree barks, or roses, it's all about trying to mimic the color I see outside," Rocha told Reuters after the show.

"I'm just trying to bring all these things together and make something that's beautiful."

Earlier in the day, on a pillar box-red stage, boxy Sixties silhouettes in canary yellow and shocks of fluorescent orange burst into the packed show of British designer Jasper Conran.

Earthy olives muffled loud neons, while cloche hats in matching shades added a feminine finish to the collection, which was viewed from the front row by actor Richard E. Grant.

"There is a hell of a lot of bright color, which is balanced off with dark aubergines and blues and chocolate browns ... really in your face," Conran told Reuters before the show.