HOLLY FULTON

Designer to the stars Holly is one of this year’s ambassadors for the talented students following in her footsteps.

The Edinburgh-born couturier, who counts Sarah Jessica Parker and Keira Knightley among her many celebrity fans, is not surprised Scotland is such a hotbed of designing talent.

Holly, 40, whose own label celebrates its 10th birthday next year, said: “I am excited to see the home-grown talent from Scotland.

“Scotland is small but perfectly formed – there is a very rich heritage of design and creativity, from the graphic wonders of Mackintosh to Pictish knot work, and to grow up immersed in that environment, alongside the Scottish sensibility, is a very inspirational and formative thing.”

Many of this year’s exhibitors have drawn inspiration from the environment in which they live and Holly admits her heritage has a huge influence on her designs.

She added: “I often look to Scotland in different ways to inspire. My autumn/ winter 2016 collection was inspired by hillwalking on Cairngorm in a pair of 40 denier tights and a silk skirt on a day so cold that ice formed on my partner’s beard.

“This year’s spring/ summer collection was about a commission we did for the interior of Lorimer House, just outside Edinburgh, revisiting his architecture. “My autumn/ winter 2011 was about Chanel’s love affair with Scotland and her time fly fishing. “I love history and real-life experiences blending into all our influences and Scotland supplies me with a rich source of both.”