Simone Shailes

She may have only graduated this year but the name Simone Shailes has already become synonymous with the coolest cutting edge knitwear. Not only has she had her collection snapped up by Topshop, she’s already bagged a job at luxury French fashion house, Celine – fast work.

25-year-old Simone graduated from the University of Brighton in 2006 with a degree in Fashion Textiles, work placements with Peter Jensen, Julien Macdonald and Weardowney under her belt and a confirmed love of all things knitted. She made her way to London to take up a much-coveted place on the Fashion Design MA course at Central Saint Martins and was soon impressing those in the fashion know. Her work earned her the 2007 Chloe Scholarship and the resulting graduate show propelled her onto the fashion scene, with style mavens clamouring for her chunky looped knits teamed with well-worn jeans and contrasting brass belts.

The wily team at Topshop were quick to secure her for an exclusive collaboration and in an unusual twist for the high street giant, they have reproduced Simone’s collection instead of employing her to create a new capsule range. One look at the pieces is enough to explain why – the surprisingly wearable jumpers, cardigans and dresses are irresistible, not to mention a brilliant way for the rest of us to invest in a hot new designer before she goes stellar.

Currently working alongside former head-of-Chloe, Phoebe Philo, at Celine, there’s no word yet on whether Simone will be producing a new collection in February (we suspect that her new job will keep her tied up for a while yet), but remember her name – she’s a star of the future.

By Emma Sells