Top Designer Profiles A/W 2011 : The Designers

Philo is every girl's favourite designer. She was Stella McCartney's right-hand woman at Chloe, before taking up the reins herself and kitting us out with everything we needed, just when we needed it. After briefly stepping away from the fashion limelight she returned triumphant to take up residence as creative director of Celine, and each of her collections has had every style setter furiously making their shopping list. We're itching to see what she has in store for us next.

Signature style: Chic sportswear-influenced minimalism

Best buy for A/W 2011: A pair of two-tone leather and wool trousers.

Scottish-born designer Christopher Kane has become one of London Fashion Week’s key players. Working closely with his muse and business partner, his sister Tammy, his star has sky rocketed since winning the Harrods award for his MA Collection. He launched his own label in 2006 (after a stint at Atelier Versace) and counts Donatella Versace amongst his legion of fans. So much so that she tapped him to design the accessories for Versace’s recently relaunched Versus collection. In 2007 he deservedly won New Designer of the Year Award at the British Fashion Awards.

Signature Style: His Scottish heritage, and 80s films have inspired his past collections. He always has the fashion pack guessing, what will inspire him next.

Best buy for A/W 2011: A bright liquid-filled plastic clutch

Design duo Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough met at New York’s Parsons School of Design in 1999. In 2002 they set up their own label, named after their mothers. Champions of minimal and often futuristic shapes and sleek silhouettes their designs embody the city of Manhattan’s signature style, cool yet polished, modern yet luxe. In 2007 they won the CFDA’s Womenswear Designer of the Year Award, shared with Oscar de la Renta.

Signature style: Park Avenue polish meet’s Lower East side cool.

Best buy for A/W 2011: Navajo-printed velevet trousers.

Haider Ackermann made the leap from cult favourite to most talked about last season when he was hotly tipped as the front runner to win the top job at Dior. The fashion house post still remains vacant, but the buzz surrounding Ackermann hasn’t died down – and no wonder. A master of cut and drape, his breathtakingly beautiful collections are a privilege to see stream down the catwalk and whether he takes the top job at a fashion house in the future or continues to go it alone, we’re certain that his fashion career is set to be stellar.
Signature style: Avant-garde cuts and exquisitely draped and wrapped silhouettes
Best buy for A/W 2011: A jewel-toned satin jacket