AFTERNOON tea, pirates and bondage were among the inspirations for designers showing at this year s Alternative Fashion Week on Monday. Models dressed in garments made from cookery books bearing recipes for Grandma Betty s Lemon Tart paraded down the ca

AFTERNOON tea, pirates and bondage were among the inspirations for designers showing at this year's Alternative Fashion Week on Monday.

Models dressed in garments made from cookery books bearing recipes for 'Grandma Betty's Lemon Tart' paraded down the catwalk in Spitalfields Market wearing cup and saucer hats and gingham pinnies.

Voluminous jackets made from brightly coloured parachute silk and cocktail dresses made from PVC and rubber, directional knitwear and latex swimsuits were also on show at the annual event, which started on Monday and ends tomorrow (Friday).

Alternative Fashion Week provides an alternative for designers to present their work directly to the press, public and the fashion industry and designers come from all over the UK and other parts of the world including Russia, the USA, Europe, India and Japan to take part.

More than 70 designers were selected from hundreds of applicants aiming to establish their labels and 14 different designers will show each day.

Models are taking to the catwalk again today (Thursday) and tomorrow from 1.15pm accompanied by The Really Tight Corsettes, a live contemporary Jazz band.

The Fashion Market that surrounds the catwalk includes stalls selling a range of clothes, textiles and accessories.

Admission is free and includes a programme listing every designer.