William Tempest, 23

Just three seasons into his career and at 23 years old, William Tempest is already working with a sales agency for his autumn 10 collection. But as the debut winner of the Merit award from Vauxhall Fashion Scout, a platform for emerging catwalk designers, Tempest already has a strong record.

Indeed, during his degree at London College of Fashion, from which he graduated with first class honours, he worked as a pattern maker for Giles Deacon, and his first collection was picked up by London designer indie Browns. He now has a handful of international accounts, including Outfit at the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas.

Tempest says: “I’m now in my third season of sponsorship from Vauxhall Fashion Scout, which has opened a lot of doors for me as well as being a platform for showing my work. A lot of designer don’t even contemplate sales in their first few seasons.” Tempest is already a hit with celebrities, having been worn by Emma Watson, Lily Allen, Victoria Beckham and Jade Parfitt.

Vauxhall Fashion Scout founder and director John Walford says: “William is very English – his first collection with us was based on portraits of Henry VIII and the second on James Bond iconography. He produces classic but exciting shapes and very crisp precise tailoring.”

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