LONDON, Sept 16, 2007 (AFP) - Designer Gareth Pugh, a rising star in British fashion, wowed the second day of London Fashion Week on Sunday, September 16th with a collection that drew gasps and applause from a packed room of observers.

Gareth Pugh

Staying true to his reputation, the young man from northeast England held the several hundred people who had managed to get ahold of invitations in suspense, as he unveiled his 2008 spring-summer collection.

Among the clothes on show were those made of leather patchworks with long straps of cloth hanging off, mini-skirts and "torn" trousers, seemingly designed to exude an end-of-the-world impression.

Also gracing the catwalk were furs, silver chains and long coats, including the appearance of a coat which appeared to have been made three-quarters of leather, with the back and shoulders covered in fur.

As the model displaying the coat approached the stage however, audible gasps could be heard as it became clear that it was not, in fact, fur, on her shoulders, but large mink mice instead.

"My collection is a work in progress," Pugh told journalists after the show.

"I try different things. I'm still a bit too young to stay in one style.

"When designing my new collection, I do a lot of thinking beforehand," he added, indicating that he had difficulty finding a balance between creativity and commercial appeal.

Pugh is a part of "NewGen," created in 1993 by London Fashion Week organisers to help young British designers break into the industry.

Alexander McQueen, Clements Ribeiro, Matthew Williamson and Julien Macdonald were also members of the programme.

Sunday, the second day of London Fashion Week, was also highlighted by several other members of "NewGen" including Louise Goldin and her multicoloured weavings, and Danielle Scutt and her draperies and denim variations.

London Fashion Week ends Thursday, September 20th.