LONDON - Royal bride-to-be Kate Middleton's favourite designer Issa London was basking in the spotlight Saturday on the second day of London Fashion Week.
The label was showing its new collection, with interest at fever pitch ever since Middleton announced her engagement to Prince William wearing one of its slinky silk dresses.
The U.K.-based label, Middleton's go-to choice for grown-up, ladylike outfits, is overshadowing such better-known designers as Daks, Jaeger and Jonathan Saunders, who are also showcasing their autumn and winter collections Saturday.
Although Issa also counts Madonna, Scarlett Johansson and Princess Beatrice among its fans, the worldwide fascination with Middleton's style has propelled it overnight from relative obscurity to a household name -- at least in Britain -- triggering a welcome sales surge and numerous knockoffs of the engagement frock.
Speculation has been rife that Daniella Issa Helayel, the Brazilian-born designer behind the Issa label, may even design Middleton's dress for her wedding on April 29. While that isn't considered likely -- as Issa has not made wedding gowns before -- the rumours are enough to make the label's show one of the week's hottest tickets.
British bookmakers consider Bruce Oldfield the leading contender to create Middleton's wedding gown.
Other designers presenting their collections Saturday included Kinder Agguguni, John Rochas and Clements Ribeiro.
