Two of Barnet's aspiring fashion designers hit London Fashion Week with their latest creations this week.

Rachel Nyman, whose label Nancy Harlem is an anagram of her name, showed off her electric blue and hot pink summer clothes for the first time at Mayfair's Embassy Hotel on Old Burlington Street on Tuesday night.

And the country's style gurus, including those from Elle and Vogue magazines, flocked to see her creations parading down the catwalk.

But the fashionistas were blissfully unaware that Nyman's sexy muslin sun dresses and camisoles were all made in a Mill Hill basement.

The 25-year-old, who lives with her parents in Manor Drive, quit her media job at Polygram films and started making handbags in 2001. Her pink silk clutch bags were used for a Breast Cancer Care campaign and were worn by famous names including Gwen Stefani and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson.

It wasn't until this year, and after people were repeatedly complimenting her on her own hand-made dresses, that the former-Copthall School girl decided to make a full-time career out of being a designer. "This is my first full clothing collection and it is very stressful," said Miss Nyman, hours before the show. "I'm still hemming dresses and stuffing goody-bags."

It comes as no surprise that the self-taught Miss Nyman has been making clothes for herself for most of her life her maternal grandfather was a handbag- maker and her grandmother was a dressmaker.

"I have been doing stuff for myself for years and I thought, What the hell', I have got lots of compliments, I have got to give it a go. It's now or never."

Michele Quastel, of Crooked Usage, Finchley, was also in a buoyant mood on Tuesday night as the New Bond Street branch of Fenwicks had just snapped up some of her designs.

She has a static display of luxury and brightly coloured knitwear at the Metropolitan Hotel in Old Park Lane.

Ms Quastel, a one-time assistant of the designer Joseph, sells her luxury scarves, jumpers and hats at Harpers in Edgware and Averyl in Temple Fortune.

She started designing accessories four years ago and put together her own ready-to-wear collection in February after completing a drawing for fashion course at Central St Martin's College. "I want to be Finchley's biggest export," said the 38-year-old.