Robbie Dale looks for a fashionable way to raise a serious issue.

WHILE many corduroy-clad students may not have noticed, this has been London Fashion Week, a time when lots of terribly creative individuals mince around and show off their latest 'collections'.

While undoubtedly we all need some form of clothing to stave off the impending climate conditions (or at least woo some member of the opposite sex), it strikes me that a week of horrendously expensive models wearing tactically placed pom-poms is ultimately an excuse to give a lot of arty people the praise they crave. However, here in York, fashion might be doing a bit more.

February has seen events worldwide surrounding V-Day, a charity that campaigns to raise awareness of violence against women. V-Day itself was on Valentine's Day, although events are sent to continue until the end of the month.

On Wednesday, the York University branch of V-Day is holding a fashion show to promote the activities of the charity in a fun and colour co-ordinated way. Sailing under the banner Glamorous, the show will endeavour to model the finest threads from various York retailers, while raking in worthwhile money from the fashion-starved masses who can't get the train down to the capital.

While on fashion, has anyone else wondered if the England rugby team is considering dropping its tight-tops for a more manly alternative once more?

With the six-nations championship continuing this weekend, everyone will be looking forward to England's rugby prowess shining once more.

Well everyone except your Glaswegian columnist, I guess, who'll be optimistically rooting for the dark blues. But if you wish to cheer on the world champions, I can recommend a couple of good seats. The Rose and Crown on Lawrence Street is comfortable and within staggering distance of the campus.

If, however, you girlfriend has taken you out shopping (inspired, perhaps, by London Fashion Week) you could nip off to The Old White Swan in Goodramgate. I'll be awaiting the ritual slaughter of the Scots in the privacy of my own home.

Updated: 08:38 Friday, February 20, 2004