London

Womenswear designer

Who?
Gavin Douglas is the 23-year-old Birmingham-born winner of last year’s prestigious Fashion Fringe prize, judged by a panel of industry heavyweights including designer Tom Ford. Douglas presents his first official collection of 25 outfits on schedule this week shortly before the hotly awaited finale, Marc by Marc Jacobs.

What?
Inspired by his mother’s passion for dressing up, the Northampton University fashion graduate has an eye for high-octane glamour, using figure-hugging silhouettes and vibrant jewel tones. The collection he shows this week splices a 1940s silhouette with some hard-edged urban cool. ‘I’m looking at travel and cruise trips from that era,’ he says. Feature continues

Where?
Living in Hackney and working from his studio in Cordwainers College in Hackney’s Mare Street, the softly-spoken, refreshingly unpretentious designer was propelled from nobody to big player in a matter of months. After winning the Fashion Fringe he was whisked off to Paris Fashion Week where American Vogue’s Anna Wintour introduced him to all the right people. ‘ I met John Galliano backstage after his show and he said: “This man’s the future” and all the photographers started clicking me… it was mad!’

London loves
‘The fact you have everything on your doorstep.’

London loathes
‘The terrible traffic and the congestion charge.’

Five words to describe what you do
‘Sexy, fun, unique, bold, historical.’

Douglas’s first collection will be available to buy from www.yoox.com from Feb 27.