Scotland's Hottest New Fashion Designer - Chris Kane
Born in Newarthill near Motherwell, 24-year-old designer Christopher Kane is one of the hottest new names in fashion: his show at London Fashion Week in February this year drew unanimous acclaim from critics and fellow designers alike and he has been widely tipped as the next Galliano or Alexander McQueen. Normally very publicity shy Christopher took time to talk to Scotland Now about subjects as diverse as caravanning in Arbroath and turning down Donatella Versace.
SN: Did you find it very difficult moving to London from Scotland (to study at Central St. Martin's fashion college) when you were only 18?
CK: Well, to be honest with you, it was quite scary! Because in small communities like the one I grew up in everyone knows each other. So moving to London, which is such a big city, was a bit daunting.
SN: Do you miss Scotland and do you get the chance to come home often?
CK: I miss the quietness of it. I get back every so often to visit my Mum. I do miss my Mum! Actually I'm hoping to get back to Scotland in the next few weeks, after Paris Fashion Week, to visit a cashmere company.
SN: You famously turned down a job offer from Donatella Versace while you were still a student. Was that a difficult decision?
CK: No, not really. Because I always wanted to do my own thing so it just wasn't right for me. But I'm still doing some consultancy work for them, so she was fine about it. She totally understood. I think she knew in her head what I wanted to do and she thought it was really brave.
SN: You must be getting used to meeting famous people by now. . . .
CK: It can be quite nerve wracking. But you find that the people who are very high up are always really down to earth. Very professional and talented. I haven't come across anyone horrible yet!
SN: Have you had any moments where you've thought 'Wow! I can't believe this is happening!'
CK: Probably . . . getting my photograph taken by Mario Testino. And David Bailey. That was quite scary. I was just kind of thinking 'God, this is quite strange!'
SN: You're being talked of as the new Galliano, the new Alexander McQueen. Does that make you excited or nervous?
CK: Both! It just means the pressure is on again to do something different and better. People are very quick to judge and it's very make-or-break in this industry, so you really have to always be trying to think ten steps ahead.
SN: What got you interested in fashion when you were growing up in Newarthill?
CK: We were a very close-knit family. I was always surrounded by my Mum and her sisters – my aunties – and by my two older sisters who are both really artistic so . . . I suppose we're quite an artistic family. It's genetic, it's in the blood to be creative. Then I did some life-drawing classes at Glasgow School of Art, weekend courses and things like that, but they didn't specifically do fashion there, they did textiles and stuff like that, so that was why I had to go to London.
SN: You recently designed a range for Top Shop. How different is it creating a range for the high street as opposed to a couture range?
CK: You just need to think in terms of everyone could be wearing it. You need to be quite versatile. But it was a really good experience. It was good to give them something back, because they've given me so much in terms of supporting my shows, sponsorship and stuff like that.
SN: If you had a friend who was visiting Scotland for the first time what would you urge them to see or do?
CK: Err . . . I would definitely recommend seeing both Glasgow and Edinburgh because they're so different. Architecturally and artistically there's really diverse cultures involved.
SN: Do you have a favourite?
CK: I'd probably have to say Glasgow, just because I grew up going in at the weekends and so I know it a bit better. I liked going into town shopping at the weekends; Princes Square, Buchanan Street, Cruise. . . .
SN: What's your strongest memory of Scotland?
CK: I think probably the most memorable would be going to Arbroath, when we used to have a caravan up there. That was our summer holidays. It was always really great, rain or shine we'd go to Arbroath to the caravan site! All of us cooped up in this small caravan. But it was really good fun. We did loads of good stuff like that. I think that's my fondest memory of my family.
SN: Will you be coming to this year's Scottish Fashion Week?
CK: Unfortunately I won't be because I'm in New York with Top Shop.
SN: From a caravan in Arbroath to jetting off to New York and Paris, eh?
CK: I'd rather have Arbroath, put it that way! I would, honestly. I've always been quite a private person so, to do all this stuff (the promotion, the interviews etc) is just a bit . . . oh God!
SN: Thanks Christopher. Good luck in Paris.
CK: Thank you. Bye.
