Praised by Vogue as ‘one to watch’ and acclaimed throughout the UK and US, Scottish designer Iona Crawford has enjoyed a highly successful career since establishing her label in 2007. Nominated for three consecutive years for Young Designer of the Year at the Scottish Fashion Awards, Iona is also lauded in the always directional and ever fashionable Japan.

 
On graduating from the Edinburgh College of Art, Iona chose to remain in Scotland when fellow graduates moved to London. Her collections now draw inspiration from her surroundings and Scottish heritage; she uses Scottish fabrics such as merino wool, tweed and cashmere that create truly luxurious and timeless garments.

Yet, her designs are also innovative, exemplifying traits of the avant-garde. Masculine tailoring and unusual pattern-cutting combine to construct edgy, structural designs in tonal, simple colours.  Iona merges these silhouettes with bespoke, painterly prints in silk that illustrate her artistic background.

These dramatic and beautiful photos are from her Spring/Summer 2012 collection, which was shown as part of the Design Collective Scotland show at London Fashion Week recently.

Typified by her exquisite prints, thoughtful use of fabric and distinctive silhouettes, Iona is an acclaimed emerging designer and definitely one to watch as Vogue suggests.

Photos courtesy of www.ionacrawford.com, where Iona’s other collections can be viewed.  She is also on Twitter @_ionacrawford.