Talent 2010: The fashion designer, Mark Fast

Mark Fast, the 27-year-old knitwear designer, first came to the attention of the fashion insider following his degree collection shown in 2006. A graduate of Central Saint Martins – he went on to complete an MA course there, too – he is known for hand-finished, one-off pieces which cling to the body's every curve and where the intention is to create clothing that is as proudly individual as the people who choose to wear it.

Since 2008, Fast has had his own show at London Fashion Week to increasingly widespread critical acclaim – although last season's offering was eclipsed by the great "size-zero" debacle. Fast wanted to use larger models, and his stylist didn't. PR mayhem ensued. In the end, a rounder body shape prevailed. Now Fast says, not entirely unreasonably, "Let's just talk about the clothes". For spring/summer 2010, then, he was inspired by stills from the silent movies of the 1920s. "There was so much detail. You really don't see that now. Egyptian goddesses, tigers..." This was fused with more than a passing interest in Erin Brockovich, as played by Julia Roberts. "Especially her attitude, a woman who has kids, has a life beyond what she's known to do."

Born in Winnipeg, Fast travelled to London upon the advice of his teacher, who said that London was the place where it was all happening. It's certainly happening for Fast, whose designs, all extraordinarily complex and created on domestic knitting machines, sell at Browns, as always a reliable indicator of great fashion things to come. The nature of his work, which necessitates highly specific technical expertise, decrees that production is extremely limited. Fast's dream is to have his own factory "with, say, 30 domestic machines, where it's all couture and where we're in control. I don't think it can get quite big quite quickly, but that's fine."

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Life & Style blogs

Hearing loss: An invisible impairment and a preventable disability

Many years ago, I lost nearly all my upper frequency hearing as a result of military action. What pr...

It’s National Work From Home Day today

Plus live in a folly tower and Towcester growth

Where have property prices been reduced most in the UK?

Plus how much you need to earn to rent in London, and new homes figures

       

ES Rentals

    iJobs Job Widget
    iJobs Fashion

    Senior Employment Solicitor - Birmingham

    Excellent Package: Austen Lloyd: This is a senior appointment with huge potent...

    Teaching Programme Officer with Qualified Teacher Status

    £28000 - £31500 per annum + benefits: Randstad Education Newcastle: Permanent ...

    SAP FI-CA Consultant - up to £58k

    £50000 - £58000 per annum + Benefits and Bonus: Progressive Recruitment: SAP F...

    PHP/ Drupal Developer - £35k - WC

    £30000 - £40000 per annum + BENS: Progressive Recruitment: Drupal Developer A ...

    Day In a Page

    'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

    Masculinity in crisis?

    'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
    Have US shock jocks gone too far?

    Have US shock jocks gone too far?

    An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
    The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

    The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

    Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
    Heavenly Bodies

    Heavenly Bodies

    Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell
    'He will always be a friend': Jackie Stewart backs Polanski

    'He will always be a friend'

    Jackie Stewart backs Roman Polanski
    The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

    The price of pacifism

    From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
    'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

    Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

    To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
    Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

    Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

    Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
    Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

    Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

    If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
    The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

    The experts' guide to summer

    From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
    Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

    Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

    Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
    Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

    Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

    The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
    Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

    Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

    Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
    Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

    Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

    Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
    One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

    One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

    Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in