New designer has London buzzing

(AFP/GIUSEPPE CACACE)

Last London Fashion Week had Kinder Aggugini -- this season, it's Hakaan that has come out of the blue to turn the UK capital's fashion scene upside down.

Last London Fashion Week had Kinder Aggugini - this season, it's Hakaan that has come out of the blue to turn the UK capital's fashion scene upside down.

It is one of the beauties of London Fashion Week that it often surprises even those who always have a finger on the pulse. But the arrival of Hakaan was even less anticipated than that of Aggugini in September, and his impact even more immediate.

Hakaan, who has already built a name for himself in his native Turkey, not only saw French Vogue's editor-in-chief, Carine Roitfeld fly in just for his show, but also drew an appearance from supermodel Kate Moss, while her colleagues Lara Stone and Natalia Vodianova walked the runway - all with the overwhelming majority of the fashion world not having heard of him before (with the exception of some British editors who announced shortly before his show that visitors would be witnessing the birth of a new star).

The designer's clothes explained why Roitfeld was there as they looked as if drawn out of the style icon's personal wardrobe: bold shoulders (and sometimes hips, too), bandage dresses with cut-outs, and a subdued color palette combined French elegance with a London edge. Watch this video to see the full collection.

With just one show, Hakaan has established himself as one of the most exciting designers to watch this London Fashion Week. He joins the likes of Mark Fast - who again sent plus-size models down the runway, wearing his body-conscious knit dresses - who keep London's reputation as talent breeding ground alive.