It was a hit parade of the hautest spring trends the other night at London's Punk night club. Tightly belted waists? Check! Over-sized vintage clutch? Check! Pretty floral prints? Triple check! There was all this and more as fashion students from London's various colleges came out to celebrate.

The impromptu runway show was just a preview of why the students were partying in the first place: Graduate Fashion Week. Never heard of it? Well, it's been a must-see for the international fashion industry since 1991, has launched the careers of fashion rock stars like Stella McCartney and hosted concerts by top-notch performers like Madonna and Justin Timberlake.
Just like professional fashion week events across the globe, Graduate Fashion Week is an opportunity for talented designers to show journalists, stylists and buyers their latest collection. But instead of established professionals, all the clothes are made by graduating students.

For 2008 the organizers of the show, the British Fashion Council teamed up with UK mega-retailer River Island to sponsor the event. To kick it off in style they hosted a party earlier this week in London and naturally the only place to throw it was Punk, the Soho nightspot adored by legendary fashionista, Kate Moss.

The guests of honor were -- of course -- fashion students, many of them designers who will be showing their pieces next week. Judging from the pics they could teach a thing or two about the latest spring trends: from over-sized clutches and belted dresses to spring florals and bold colors they wore them all -- and wore it well. What a fabulous lesson in style.