It is just possible that when London’s designers were searching for inspiration for next winter they found themselves watching the gathering economic storm clouds on the horizon and decided their outlook should take account of any looming gloominess. That could account for the propensity towards dark, gothic references – or, in the case of Luella, witchcraft complete with pointy hats – that abounded at London Fashion Week.

Take Marios Schwab. The designer referenced a Victorian novella, The Yellow Wallpaper, a tale about a wife being driven slowly mad after the birth of her child. Or Giles [Deacon] who was inspired by a film adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s story The Masque of the Red Death. Even Amanda Wakeley gave a gothic spin to her classy collection of fitted coats, fur tops and tunic dresses with a series of all-black opening looks and much-smudged black eyeliner for emphasis.