Emilia Wickstead SS16 Collection, backstage at London Fashion Week
Emilia Wickstead?s designs are attracting the attention of Hollywood royalty (and even the real thing) for their mix of the classic and the modern. LUX discovers what inspires her
Emilia Wickstead is hot, hot, hot. The 31-year-old, London-based fashion designer has become one of the biggest draws of London Fashion Week in the four years since she started showing. Her grown-up, dressy, classical yet contemporary style has attracted the likes of the Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton), Gwyneth Paltrow and Diane Kruger; and the architectural cut and quality of her garments has earned the praise of fashion directors and drawn the attention of the industry?s big guns.

What?s the secret of the New Zealand- born designer?s success" Is it her clever references to the 1950s Modernist design movement (not just Dior and Chanel, but the whole of design), creating pieces which look like they have been inspired by an architect?s pen" Her philosophy, which she describes as ?classic with a twist?" Her smiling, outgoing, gregarious yet steely personality" Or her sheer hard work ? the mother of two small children is known for her 18-hour days" Read next: Vilebrequin’s CEO on the importance of heritage 
Alexandra Shulman, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue, comments: ?Emilia has a very strong vision for her label. She has a clear idea of the woman she is designing for and she is also an exce...