Osman Yousefzada Rules Britannia Fashion Wave

On your next visit to Selfridges, be sure to look out for the latest Fall/Winter 2007-08 lineup from the up and rising British designer, Osman Yousefzada.

What's the proof that the British fashionistas are so smitten by his creations? Well, recently Selfridges have to place two re-orders for his Spring/Summer 2007 collection since it sells very well and they even put a waiting for Yousefzada's baby doll show dresses that are put on the window display.

A Cambridge graduate, Yousefzada started out his career as an investment banker before deciding to make a new turn in his life by responding to his creative side.

After studying at Central St. Martin, a renowned art institution in London whose alma mater includes John Galliano, the Afghan-descent designer made his fashion debut with a ready-to-wear collection entitled Kalashnikov. The collection was inspired by his Afghan heritage.

Yousefzada continues to make headlines on his own by creating inspiring pieces with designs attributed to women who are strong, confident and open to new ideas.

Apart from designing clothes for his own label, he also designed a driving scarf known as the Chlamys to complement the 9-3 Convertible, a new car manufactured by premium Swedish car maker Saab.

"When they asked me to create a design for the Convertible, I drew inspiration from a statue of a Greek soldier wearing a mantle. Part of the mantle was wrapped over the arm and the other part was hanging. This was ideal, because it wouldn't slip or fall off and can be used it in lots of different ways - it can be a scarf, a shawl, or a cardigan." he said in the company's press release.

For Spring/Summer 2007 collection, Yousefzada playfully adds feather collars to accessorize his collection which is minimal with unusual cuts, voluminous, and simple.

For example, the baby doll dress in blue is so eye-catching as volumes were added to the hem. On another piece, a dress with bubble hem, the attraction of this dress lies neither on the hem nor the bodice but the big red bloom on the bosom.

The Fall/Winter collection, which is scheduled to be in stores by August or September, shows more interesting detailing and a sober color palette. Again, collar in pleated golden lurex is the accessory du jour for Yousefzada's collection.

Pleated short skirts, jacket with wide fur sash on waist, red long-sleeved top with bubble hem, black zipfront dress with fur capelet, and two-tone baby doll dress, just to name a few, are the designer's offering for the upcoming leaf-shedding season.

So, if you are in London right now and looking for a fresh dressing up ideas, take some time by paying a visit to Selfridges or Aquaint (Ashley Isham's multi-brand boutique) to view the new collection and why not, buy a three or five pieces from it?

*Photos by VOGUE UK.

Osman Yousefzada - Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London W1A 2LR; Aquaint, 18 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XN