British Fashion Council chairman Harold Tillman (centre) said London is now on a par with all the other global fashion capitals as London Fashion Week celebrated its 25th birthday.

“We are now on a level playing field,” Tillman said, referring to comparisons with cities such as Paris and Milan, which have been leaders in the fashion stakes for longer than London.

“London is setting the pace globally. We are still developing the best designers,” he maintained, adding that the event had “kicked out” the doom and gloom that has shrouded the fashion market since the global economic downturn started.

Tillman continued: “Fashion always improves in a downturn. We have created the best designers in previous downturns, including Julien Macdonald and Stella McCartney.” He also said that this year there has been a marked increase in foreign buyers attending shows, perhaps attracted by the weaker pound.

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