E

ngland’s relationship with fashion is a deep and beautiful thing. Known for a certain off kilter look and a very British charm, the top England fashion designers are well known world wide for the ability to match unique and innovative designs with a high street sensibility.

Catwalk heaven

As such there is no big leap from the catwalks of the London Fashion week , which rivals Milan and Paris as the most prestigious and influential on the planet, to the designs that appear in the flagship shops, department stores and markets all over the country. In England you are never very far from high end fashion, whether you know it or not.

One of the key elements in the variety and strength of England fashion is that the most famous designers tend all have very different backgrounds and styles. This gives a huge array of contrast as the designers consistently turn out own unique and iconic collections.

Design successes

And when it comes to iconic it is hard to surpass Vivienne Westwood , one of the UKs earliest fashion success stories. Her work is well known for its punk roots and its use of many historical materials, fabrics and techniques – the use of tartan being one of the most recognisable traits. You can get your hands on her designs at the flagship store in Conduit Street London , or in her shops in Manchester , Leeds , Liverpool, York, Nottingham plus from Selfridges in Birmingham .

Alexander McQueen is another controversial designer who nevertheless managed to grab the hearts and minds of the buying public. Prior to his untimely death in 2010, McQueen put a lot of focus on highlighting femininity and his highly structured tailoring and corsetry gathered him fans the world over. His flagship store in Bond Street London is more than a shop, it's a fashion experience and a place where his pioneering spirit lives on.

Then there is Stella McCartney , a British designer who at a relatively young age has already had a profound influence. Her dresses are best known for their vintage feel and her trouser suits and jet-set styled holiday wear have the opulent style that marks her out. She has also launched a fantastic new kids range. Like most of the best English designers all her collections can be found at Harvey Nichols , Selfridges and Liberty , high end fashion department stores that are located in every major city in England.

Traditional English

Another great English designer is Paul Smith who has always created distinctive looks that blend the highlights of traditional English attire with a quirky and endearing touch. Check out his famous stripe and distinctive style at the original Paul Smith store in Nottingham , or his shops in London , Leeds and Manchester .

And the list goes on - promising new designers come through with incredible regularity, pushing the established iconic designers to greater heights. And the best thing is that in England it’s all at your fingertips. This is a country that takes fashion seriously.