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MICHELLE LOWE-HOLDER

Michelle Lowe-Holder is a Canadian-born designer who has been based in London since she undertook an MA in knitwear at St Martin 's in the late 90s. She went on to launch her own name collection in 2000 and has won New Generation awards to show at London Fashion Week three times. While there hasn't been any massive drive turning her into a household name, Michelle has been grafting away in East London , quietly building up a following for her quirky accessories and hip but unobvious womenswear. If you have never sampled Lowe Holder's style, you can get a taster at TopShop because her first capsule range for the store has just gone on sale in branches throught the UK .

Lowe-Holder told us that her debut collection for Topshop "is super feminine - and pretty - fabrication ranges from cotton gauze to jersey. It's a little more casual than my main line." There are without doubt some very desirable designs here - printed shift dresses with bustle details, long, printed vests that look handpainted and breathtaking double-layered frocks. There are nine styles and prices range from £30-70.

After focusing the last three seasons on an incredible series of collections devoted to exploring the beauty of the safety pin, Michelle's winter 06 collection is inspired by migration through fabric. Entitled, 'Snow Bird' (a name peope from Florida call Canadians who travel to their state for the winter), stand-out pieces include a digital white/black bird print puffa coat which is beguiling in its lightweight feel, an accordian pleated skirt and a string bow T-shirt. She's progressed from safety pins, through beading and now is turning her crafty hands at exploring bows made of string. The main collection is available from b-Store and No-one in London . After a few seasons absent from our catwalks, Lowe-Holder says she "hopes to show in London again in the near future."