Alexander McQueen's McQ show - in pictures

McQ, the diffusion line of the Alexander McQueen label, stages its first ever catwalk show at the Old Sorting Office during London fashion week, A/W 2012 Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

This show was about the repositioning of the McQ brand, previously associated with street fashion, to a more elevated level Photograph: Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters

Black velvet military coats were cinched at the waist over rainbow tulle and appliqued flowers Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Models sported an uncompromising hair style, 'a top knot so large it resembled a loaf of soda bread' in Imogen Fox's words Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

From the carpet of autumn leaves to the applique dresses, nature was everywhere Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

The collection was unmistakably McQueen, riffing on the tartan so closely associated with the brand Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Men wore trademark kilts, women tartan dresses with punky belt and lace details Photograph: Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images

'If there was a regal feel, it was that of a mounted palace guard rather than a fairytale princess,' writes Imogen Fox Photograph: Mike Marsland/WireImage

A close-up of one of Burton's cropped and colourful appllque dresses Photograph: Mike Marsland/WireImage

Military coats in forest green with nipped in waists were worn with thigh high laced boots Photograph: Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images

The collection also included a procession of elaborate ballgowns Photograph: Mike Marsland/WireImage

The look was strict: less street fashion, more high end catwalk Photograph: Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images

The show was in keeping with the theatricality expected from McQueen Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

Designer Sarah Burton accepts the audience applause at the end of the McQ show Photograph: Yui Mok/PA