Model Lily Cole gets on the other side of the lens to launch the bi-annual London Fashion Week.

Some 170 designers will show off their autumn/winter 2006 collections at the Natural History Museum.

Backstage at the Ashley Isham show, a model gets made up for one of the first of 48 catwalk shows.

Paul Costelloe was the first designer to take his collection to the runway - he used post-war London as his inspiration.

US Vogue editor Anna Wintour is expected to make a visit, suggesting the London scene is back in vogue.

Ashley Isham set up his own label in 2000 and now counts Zara Phillips, Mariah Carey and Kylie Minogue as his fans.