Canadian designer Todd Lynn throws himself into 2010’s shoulder pad fad

Designer Todd Lynn breaks out the shoulder pads

LONDON — There are shoulder pads. And then there are metallic pieces of black armor so pointy they look like a pair of horns growing out of your back.

Strong shoulders and sharply-cut suits have been a fixture of London’s Fashion Week, now in its fourth day, and both were themes picked up on by Canadian designer Todd Lynn in his catwalk show Monday.

Lynn specializes in androgynous tailoring and his models showed off some serious black and white power suits reminiscent of the more glamorous pieces introduced by fellow designer Julien MacDonald on Sunday.

British heritage brand Jaeger also took the power suit route, storming the runway with oversized boyfriend blazers complimented by short shorts rolled up at the hems. Otherwise the venerable fashion house kept things big and fluid, with high-waisted harem-style trousers, breezy blouses and chunky knits worn over striped swimsuits.

Young Scottish star Christopher Kane went for a softer, almost innocuous, look in his spring/summer collection, trotting out bright 1950s housewife-style dresses enlivened by a pair of slits running up each leg.

Models in layers of gauzy pastel-colored fabric covered in white flower-like designs trooped down the catwalk as frequent collaborator Donatella Versace and U.S. Vogue Editor Anna Wintour watched from the front row.

London’s fashion week ends Wednesday and is still due to feature shows by celebrated British designer Paul Smith and Scottish style icon Pringle.

Associated Press Writer Eleanor Stephens contributed to this report.