Michael van der Ham

Designer name: Michael van der Ham

Origin: The Netherlands

Career highlight: “Vogue photographing me at my studio.”

Design background: Michael graduated from the MA fashion course at Central Saint Martins. He has worked at Sophia Kokosalaki and Alexander McQueen.”

Design signatures: “I like to mismatch different references in each item of clothing. My autumn/winter 2009 collection is a juxtaposition of elements from different decades in fashion. I made each dress like a 3D collage of clashing colours, textures, weights of fabric and cut.”

How would you describe the Michael van der Ham woman? “Someone who's not afraid to wear something a little more bold.”

What sums up quintessential London for you? “Maison Bertaux in Soho. I know it's more French than English but it's still really London.”

What’s new for you this season? “I'm working on an additional capsule range of garments and accessories as well as the show dresses.”

Where do you go in London to seek ideas for a forthcoming collection? “I love the libraries at Central Saint Martins and the V&A Museum.”

As fashion fuses ever closer with art, film and music, how has London’s vibrant cultural scene influenced your SS11 collection? “It doesn’t inspire me directly but the idea of mixing different elements always influences my work.”