Shimmering like a sea creature, a model wearing glittering green paint, a full-length skirt and a few strategically-placed feathers took to the catwalk Friday on the first day of London Fashion Week.

Models present creations by designer Fyodor Golan (Photo:AFP, Carl Court)

Lacking the big names of rivals New York, Paris and Milan, LFW sells itself as the place to see the cutting edge of fashion, and the show by Fyodor Golan, winners of last year's prestigious Fashion Fringe award, was a classic example.

The green goddess, painted from the waist upwards and wearing black feathers over her breasts, formed part of a collection inspired by Russian history and updated for the 21st century with skin-tight leathers, fur and metallic shades.

The label's designers Fyodor Podgorny from Latvia and Golan Frydman from Israel created a sexy, feisty look, adorning the models with nose rings, dramatic bright green eye-makeup, huge silver necklaces and tight Russian plaits.

London's tally of top designers grows every season and this year includes Stella McCartney, who holds a special presentation on Saturday, and Alexander McQueen's second line, McQ, which has a catwalk show on Monday.

A Fyodor Golan creation (Photo: AFP, Carl Court)

Other favourites showing this season include Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood's Red Label, Christopher Kane, Giles and Mark Fast.

Belstaff and Moschino's Cheap and Chic brand will be making their debuts over the weekend.

Corrie Nielsen, the Fashion Fringe 2010 winner, was among those showing on Friday, presenting a Scottish-inspired collection of tartan dresses, skirts and blouses owing more than a little to Westwood, her former boss.

The highlights of the American-born designer's autumn/winter show were a voluminous, floor-sweeping cape in deep purple Duchess satin and a number of feather headpieces, including from pheasants.

The red, green, black and white tartans were complemented with striking tattoos covering part of the models' foreheads.

Turkey's Bora Aksu also opted for face adornments, creating a black lace flower headpiece which echoed floral appliques scattered throughout the collection of soft, feminine shapes in blacks, greys, pastel pinks and creams.