Tipped as its biggest year ever, new venue Earls Court is playing host to the five-day event showcasing tomorrow's stars in the fabulous world of fashion.

With 49 universities, 20 catwalk shows and a glittering array of top-notch outfits parading down the runway, the week ahead promises to be the event will attract fashion scouts from the UK and overseas all looking for that unique quirky Britishness that has helped to make some of the worlds most famous design houses the success they are today. An exciting spectacle of the fantastic talent brewing up a storm in universities from all over the country.

University of Central Lancashire was first up to showcase their final collections to an audience of fashion scouts, press and buyers all looking for that unique quirky Britishness that has helped to make some of the worlds most famous design houses the success they are today.

A quintessentially British themed collection courtesy of Maria Manfredi set the standards for exquisite detailing incorporating frills, ribbons and bows. A colour palette of blue and white stripes with hints of red and yellow; simple yet effective.

A feminine knitwear collection with soft shapes and a delicate palette of grays and subdued pinks and purples by Karlie Whitehead had a divine ballerina-esq feel. Body con dresses had subtle heart detailing and tiered dresses made for a deliciously girly theme. Nicola Cook also stood out with her all black collection of simply stunning silhouettes and structured shapes.

The next show saw graduates from The Arts Institute at Bournemouth displaying their collections. Here Anna Hirsch's classic shapes inspired by fabric restrictions imposed in the 1940's led her to create a truly chic and stylish collection of belted dresses and high waisted shorts and trousers. Incorporating 1940's prints alongside a modern element.

In Briony Yeates we saw in glimpse into the future with her take on how we form the male and female body in dress. The trends for 2010 are said to see male and female styles merging with men becoming more feminine and vice verse. Briony created three sets of outfits representing the lifestyles of men and women entwining.

Geometric shapes and rich colours made Beth Barham's art deco inspired collection get a special mention. Focusing on surface design using different pleating techniques the collection featured diamonds, squares, circles, triangles and sharp lines to create a structured and sharp look. Fantastic silhouettes were certainly achieved through the intelligent formations.

In a combined show graduates from Northbrook also showcased their hard work. Rebecca Reeves tongue in cheek take on the 1940's combined elegance with strong tailoring. Graphic prints and pin-up girl paintings, inspired by American flight jackets expressed the emotions of wartime. Oversized buckles and exaggerated leather straps added a fresh approach to the well-established fashion era.

For the most dramatic and theatrical themed collection Louise Simmonds wins the prize. Her inspirations were that of religious art of the Italian renaissance. Garments with delicate multi layering created a ghostly silhouette. Headpieces were grand and sculpted in harmony with the floor skimming fabrics and ornamentation and filigree work had been translated into contemporary appliqué and embroideries.

Overall a fantastic hybrid of creativity and originality. The talent is outstanding and with only one day down lets hope the rest of week continues to deliver!

Stay tuned for FashionCapital's daily reports.

Photographs by Gabriel Coreuera Zubillaga