CATWALK KIING.

Byline: LISA HAYNES

THE last time Matthew Williamson showed his collection in London, fashionistas were greeted with his familiar explosion of colour... and a surprise sing-song, when singer Prince opened the catwalk show to a standing ovation.

Stylistas and celebrities lost their cool and danced in the aisles and even the sternest of fashion editors beamed from their front row seats. But if you can't wait for his spring styles, there is high street solace now.

The designer has made a return to Debenhams to launch his new Butterfly by Matthew Williamson line for autumn. You'll find the same Williamson-stamped styles as his catwalk creations. Futuristic sequin shifts, kaleidoscopic print dresses and sharp tailoring, minus the high-end price tags.

Got your magpie eyes on one of Williamson's colourful cocktail dresses? A sequin-embellished dress from his autumn collection will set you back pounds 2,000, so it's little wonder fashion editors were raving about Williamson's high-shine numbers at his Debenhams Butterfly launch.

A statement sequin tank dress - Williamson's personal favourite in the collection - comes in at pounds 285.

"I wanted to design a collection that was immediately recognisable as Butterfly by Matthew Williamson, with my personal design aesthetic clearly present," he explains.

"This season, the collection focuses on a contrast between hard-edged glam rock as seen in the skinny jeans and cropped biker jackets, and more feminine pieces such as the starburst silk dresses."

In addition to his London base, Williamson opened his first US flagship store in New York, attended by celeb chums Lindsay Lohan, Heidi Klum and Mischa Barton in February, and a standalone store in Dubai followed in April. One thing you'll never see on a Matthew Williamson catwalk is drab colours.

The designer is celebrated for his rainbow prints and technicolour palette, even in the traditionally more muted winter season.

A firm advocate of adding colour to your closet, Williamson says: "There's a great misconception that colour is hard to wear, when in fact it can be flattering."

Colour-shy women can still introduce bright shades with subtle styling: "The easiest way to introduce them into your wardrobe would be through accessories or in detailing such as piping," he advises.

"Block colouring is a simple way of styling with bold colours.

"A plain outfit can be enlivened through the addition of colour by layering with a cardigan, belt or waistcoat, for example."

CAPTION(S):

On the catwalk during the Matthew Williamson London Fashion Week show Matthew Williamson, above, and one of his Butterfly creations, a sequin dress at pounds 285 from Debenhams