The show had a ’soft launch’ in New York, but Alice bought her ‘travelling circus’ to London for it’s real debut, as Alice explains ‘London is where her heart is’.

With a collection inspired by both the sinister and colourful aspects of twenties and thirties circuses - there was plenty of corsetry, structure and vertical designs, with large studdied diamond shapes and thick stripes. Standout looks include a double-strapped dress with tie details and attached belts, and a black ruffled one-shoulder evening gown. This is also the season of Temperley shoes - with a huge range of flats, heels and boots ranging from studded gladiator heels, to soft, pale pumps.

We caught up with Alice at the opening of her exhibition, where she explained to t5m her decision to stop showing her collection on runways, instead opting for these directional and progressive installations. ‘Catwalks shows became less about the shows and more about the politics…people assume that because it’s fashion, it’s going on a catwalk’.

To find out more about Alice Temperley, check out her exclusive interviews on her dedicated hub here on t5m.

She will work alongside Jenny Packham, Richard Nicoll and Ciel in an effort to raise money for the EJF and fund its work in raising awareness of forced child labour and the ecological impacts associated with cotton production.

Alice Temperley said:

“I wanted to make this T shirt to help those poor innocent children with no way out, no dreams of their own and in  order to highlight the chronic and severe exploitation across the industry.”

The designers used the theme of “childhood, lost innocence and hope” and each designed one T-shirt for the collection, which was produced using organic and fairly traded cotton and printed with organic certified inks.

The designs will hit stores at the beginning of 2010 and will also be sold via www.ejfoundation.org/shop. All proceeds raised by EJF from the sale of the T-shirts go to support the charity.

To watch an exclusive interview with one of the UK’s greatest fashion talents, check out Alice’s channel here on t5m.

What do you think of Alice’s designs for the EJF?

Users are able to view several collections as well as enter a ‘portal into the world of Temperley’ which translates as sneak previews of upcoming projects, footage documenting the process behind the collections and exclusive updates, styling tips and interviews with Alice herself….

And just in case you needed any more incentive to check it out - there will also be numerous seasonal promotions, beginning with a limited edition canvas tote in Temperley London’s signature Leopard print!

Last night, at the premier of eagerly awaited film ’The Young Victoria’ starring Emily Blunt - both Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice opted for elegant dresses by the London designer. Beatrice went for an asymmetric electric blue knee length dress, whilst Eugenie’s was a vintage-inspired oyster colour worn with black Jimmy Choos.

Alice and her husband/CEO of Temperley London, Lars Von Bennigsen decided;

“From an economic and environmental point of view, it has become more and more difficult to support the constant global travel schedule for fashion sellers, buyers, and press.

By employing cutting edge technology and talent, the four seasonal installations will allow us to communicate our brand message and aesthetic to a larger international audience while supporting both economic and environmental challenges.”

Temperley’s a/w 09 collection were greeted with unanimous praise -well, if they’re good enough for Princesses…

The designer keeps to her unpretentious and casual attitude in her gadget choices, taking with her only things that influence her passions: things like her ipod and speakers to listen to music she can dance around to, her cameras to capture her inspirations.

Temperley is renowned for attention to detail and beautiful embellishment. Dresses are scattered with painstakingly hand-sewn beads, hems encrusted with jewels or sequins. Alice completed an MA specialising in fabric technology and print at the Royal College, after graduating from the prestigious Central Saint Martins.

‘I still want to be an old woman in a huge dress, with loads of powder and red ridiculous lips, and just be completely bonkers.’

She describes her pieces as timeless, and sees making special pieces that will be used for years and then handed on and on.