If you follow FD regularly, you’ll have read that we were being treated to a trip to Royal Ascot with Longines. Despite the rain we had a fabulous day filled with races, socialising, and FASHION!When I think of Ascot I think of jockeys, horses and hats. I’d never imagined there was a full on fashion show that went on throughout the day with top British designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Todd Lynn.

GARY ENGLAND (CENTRE) WITH REENA PAREKH AND GUEST

The fashion show was started in 2007 by Gary England, after joining Royal Ascot in 2005 he came to the realisation that fashion and Ascot go hand in hand. England came up with the idea in 2006 to support the best of British fashion and create a fashion show that would show the most “of the moment” fashion with a different designer being interviewed on the BBC everyday.

BACKSTAGE IN THE BESSBOROUGH RESTAURANT

AMANDA WAKELEY SS11

Philip Treacy, Luella, and Matthew Williamson have all shown there; last year NEWGEN designer Mary Katrantzou featured her collection. London Fashion Week is where the selections take place, “I’m inspired by the designer’s inspiration for their collection” says England. Westwood has taken part every year since it started.

JULIEN MACDONALD SS11

TODD LYNN SS11

This year we saw Amanda Wakeley, Julien Macdonald, Todd Lynn, Vivienne Westwood, and Stephen Jones showing their Spring Summer 2011 collections.

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD SS11