With a very Italian touch that Sophia Loren would have been proud, the British-born designer mixed Italian sultriness with English sensibilities sending figure enhancing silhouettes in black, white and grays in between.

The black and white polka dots dress in chiffon, with off-the-shoulder sleeves is reminiscent of a young Sophia Loren during her heydays as a screen goddess. This look can easily be translated from the runway to the showroom and then off to the sales floor!

That’s the good news. The better news is that it is not alone. Separates in black, white or black & white follow the same spirit.

Pencil skirts that sometimes end on bias cut hemlines that despite its tailored look has a willowy feel reintroduce the classic Italian silhouettes to an entirely new generation, creating and expanding Jasper Conran’s market base.

Feeling playful, Conran also sent a black & white gingham dress with spaghetti straps, perfect for those 4th of July picnics. The all white pieces whether one-piece ensemble or separates are so deliciously beautiful, you just want to grab them and take them home!

The most breathtaking and unforgettable look – the bustier gown in black and gray with a bustle at the back that also serves as a train. Now… that is what you call red carpet worthy!

To some European fashion pundits, the terms ‘commercially viable’ and ‘red carpet worthy’ are bad words. To Americans, those are part and parcel of the fashion business.

Because although fashion is not art, creativity is a big part of it; yet, it is still a business and the bottom line counts a lot for the fashion house to survive.

With this collection, Jasper Conran proved that creativity and commercial viability could co-exist.

And in this journalist’s opinion, Jasper Conran and designers like him are what London Fashion Week need for it to create the heat that its sister cities – New York, Milan and Paris have.