Outspoken designer Paul Costelloe says that only top models will do for his catwalk shows.

Opening London Fashion week, the Irishman admitted he had considered using less expensive models this year to cut costs but had a change of heart.

"If you are showing clothes of a certain maturity – glamorous and sophisticated – you just cannot throw these clothes on very attractive young eastern Europeans and say 'Doesn't she look great?' It just doesn't work. You can't compromise on your models," he said.

Paul was speaking to us as many designers stayed away from London Fashion Week this year in favour of cheaper ways to show off their collections. Not so Costelloe, whose show took place last Friday.

"It's time to lift your head over the parapet and say 'Hey I'm still here.' It's the time to be noticed and not the time to crawl into your skin and be cautious.

"That said, I was at a show recently where this well-known Italian designer used 35 or 40 models. You know who is paying for that? The consumer. You're paying for the fashion show, adverts in Vogue and top supermodels. I'm still using 12 models and they'll have four outfits each."

Despite him flying the flag, Paul says most Irish retailers can't afford the prices at London Fashion Week.

"Other than Brown Thomas and one or two others, I don't think that many of them will be here. It would be too expensive and too difficult for their businesses."