One to watch Karen Nicol

News - observer, UK

The catwalk loves Karen Nicol. As well as supplying handmade lace and embroidery designs for clients such as Chloe, Julien Macdonald, John Rocha and Matthew Williamson, it was Nicol who, earlier this year, sent out models in 'skull-and-crossbones' lace for Clements Ribeiro's 2005 autumn/winter show.

'I love the idea of spending time on something almost throwaway, like taking old bits of sack and adding pearls and lace,' she enthuses. 'I worked on a lace dress for Antonio Berardi which was designed with all the bobbins hanging from the bottom as you walked. We got the lace made in Italy and it took the whole village three or four weeks. In the end the mayor gave it to him because they couldn't begin to price it.'

Now Nicol has designed her own contemporary collection - funky hanging embroideries to be worn over jeans or dresses. The collection, 'A Dash of Spirit', goes on show in London next month.

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