Interview: Chloe Patience, Fashion designer

Published on Friday 20 November 2009 15:54

When Kylie Minogue comes calling, asking you to furnish her with some of your finest hosiery, it's safe to say you've made it. For Chloe Patience (right) – and partner Mhairi McNicol (far right)– it illustrated just how far the Glasgow School of Art textile graduates had come.

Hot-footing it on to the fashion arena two and half years ago as the cutting-edge purveyors of bold, hand-printed, embellished and embroidered tights, the Edinburgh-based pair have more recently expanded their remit, adding scarves, bodysuits and leggings to their range.

Coveted by the fashion magazines, the pair bring something fresh to what is a fairly traditional part of the market, with McNicol's elaborate hand embroidery and Patience's intricate drawing skills.

"The first time we got a call from Vogue asking to see our stuff, we were so excited," explains Patience with a laugh. "From the very start we didn't want to create something boring and commercial; we wanted to create luxurious, good-quality hosiery that would really capture attention when people walked down the street wearing it. We're both textile designers, so we love working with bold, strong, illustrative designs and embroidery. It's about having fun and creating something eye-catching."

With the likes of Kylie, Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine and Erin O'Connor already among their fast-growing army of fans, the pair are keen to keep things as fresh as possible, having already graced the fashion pages of Grazia, Vogue and Nylon. "At college we would design funky tights and they seemed to be popular but it's difficult to believe that around 50 places stock us now, and that we're down in London and over in Europe and America showing our stuff," says Patience, who along with McNicol accepted the award for Accessory Designers of the Year at the 2008 Scottish Fashion Awards.

Already, hip stores such as Liberty and the Urban Outfitters' Boutique section in London are carrying their label. Not to mention Totty Rocks and Boudiche in Edinburgh, as well as select stores in Australia and America.

"We try to work with as many different designs, embroidery and colours as possible," says Patience. "Whether it be a pair of mustard leggings with a leopard print down one side, a bright, plum-coloured pair, or a bodysuit with an intricate tattoo-style detail, we want the person wearing what we design to feel as good as possible."

Over the festive period, says Patience, any designs in dark rich colours, gold or with some element of sparkle are generally popular, and Bebaroque's autumn/winter collection leaves plenty to choose from, from the Babooshka Gold Hold Up (69.95) or the Bella Bronze, complete with intricate metallic nail head design (49.95).

Elsewhere in the collection, inspired by Russian fairy tales, is a small assortment of embellished and printed bodysuits, including the barely-there Zsa Zsa Body (334.95), a hand-embroidered design set on a black sheer body, the piece boasts ruffled organza and black luxury cording augmented by jet black Swarovski crystals.

Any fashionista knows that in winter, in order to get ahead of the pack, you have to get a hat. Raise the roof with the gift of a fantastic design from Scottish Fashion Award nominee William Chambers. This felt flapper girl-style headpiece is a winner, from the milliner who has created for the likes of Roisin Murphy.

Prices on request from William Chambers Millinery (07815 096 367, www.williamchambers.co.uk)

All that glitters is most definitely the way to a girl's heart, so why not go for gold with something from Velvet Boutique's online store of over 50 award-winning independent Scottish designers. Our favourite is this festive gold satin parsi corset and cream silk nadu skirt by Mark Conlin.

Corset, 80, and skirt, 60 at www.velvet boutique.co.uk

The ultimate clothing luxury, cashmere, may be more affordable these days, but make sure you let them snuggle up in authentic Made in Scotland style, with this cashmere hoodie for men.

Cashmere hoodie, 259, at Brora (0845 659 9944, www.brora.co.uk)

You may not be Becks, and she may not be Posh, but if money is no object you can live the dream by giving her the dress of the year – dresses designed by DVB have been worn by any celebrity worth their salt. This gold Daumet Dress is fit for the Spice Girl in your life.

The DVB autumn/winter 09 dresses range from 900 to 4,000 (www.victoria beckham.com/ dresses)

Stick with the Scots if you really want to gift some glamour to a girl's wardrobe, with Scottish Designer of the Year Graeme Black's luxurious Theressa jacket.

Graeme Black is available at Harrods, prices on request (020 7730 1234, www.harrods.com)

Knickers to naff presents. There's really no need for Auntie Betty to be buying you industrial-strength bloomers when Christopher Kane has put the sparkle into the undies drawer with these fantastic specimens from his range at Topshop.

Embellished pants, 65, at Topshop (www.topshop.com)

• Bebaroque www.bebaroque.co.uk

• This article was first published in Scotland on Sunday on 22 November 2009.