Prince Pops Up at London Fashion Week

The Purple One stole the show at Matthew Williamson’s hotly anticipated style parade at London Fashion Week on Wednesday. The pint-sized pop star Prince, donning a black suit and top hat, slipped into the fashion venue virtually incognito, and sat meekly near the start of the stage. He launched into his performance from the front row where he’d sat quietly as an apparent guest, until his double act backing dancers-turned catwalk queens ‘The Twinz’ began gyrating on stage in their spring 2008 plum Williamson attire.

The diminutive singer, currently staging an extended series of concerts at London’s 02 arena, was a bona fide hit. British designer Williamson, whose label is now celebrating its tenth anniversary, then sent his boho-clad models down the runway in vibrantly coloured richly embroidered kaftans, heavily-beaded tops, pinstripe blazers, cropped khaki shorts and skirts.

His multi-ethnic, eclectic hippie designs featured tribal beading and textiles heavily inspired by global influences from Indonesia, India, South America and the Sahara, with clashing orange silks, hot pinks, green sequins and flowing chiffons prevailing throughout. Feminine and exotic, Williamson’s latest collection is a cultural mish mash of sparkling creations and beautifully crafted gypsy clothes.