Believe it or not Lagerfeld, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Christian Dior and even Coco Chanel all started out as unknowns. It took many years in the rag trade for their unique talents to be recognised and for them to reach such heights of sheer fabulousness that they can ask such ridiculous prices for their clothes, handbags, shoes, perfume and quite possibly  worn socks without giggling.

 

I wonder how much an early Karl Lagerfeld original would go for today? I bet there are collectors that would sell their eldest child to possess such an exalted item. That length of sheer silliness is totally beyond me but what I find inspiring is the up-and-coming young designers. Which of them will reach the top? Who will be the must-have shoe designer or who will be the queen of the catwalk five or ten years in the future.

 

Here are a few names to watch:

 

Christopher Kane is only 26 but he has already tucked a few prestigious awards under his belt including the Lancôme Colour Award in 2005, Harrods Design Award in 2006, New Scottish Young Designer of the Year and New Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2007. It was winning the first of these, the Lancome Colour Award that brought him to the attention of Donatella Versace.