Marques'Almeida

Designer names: Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida

Origin: Portugal

Design background: Marta and Paulo met at CITEX Fashion School in Portugal, from which they both graduated with distinction in 2007. They moved to London in 2009 where they gained industry experience at Vivienne Westwood/ Anglomania (Marques) and Preen (Almeida). In 2009 they started the acclaimed Fashion MA at Central Saint Martins and began working as a duo. Their graduate collection reworked street-wear references, championing a relaxed, deconstructed, effortless aesthetic. They plan to develop this mood and approach for their debut season with Fashion East.

Design signatures: “Raw, young, effortless and lived-in.”

Career highlight: “So far, it’s being invited to show on-schedule at London Fashion Week with Fashion East - we're beyond excited!”

How would you describe the Marques’Almeida woman? “The cool girl around the corner who identifies with our brand’s attitude.”

Trademark piece: “The oversize, distressed denim T-shirt with heavily frayed edges.”

Three spring/summer 2012 inspirations: “The documentary Wildwood New Jersey (1994), teenage girls who we see around and The Face magazine.

What’s next for your brand? “Spring/summer 2012 and everything that will hopefully come with it!”

Who are your design heroes? “Helmut Lang and Rei Kawakubo.”

What’s your favourite cultural hotspot in the capital?  “We often find walking around more inspiring than museum trips; we have this weird fascination with suburbia so frequently take buses outside the city. We love Charing Cross Road and its bookshops like Claire de Rouen; the Tate is inspirational and the Central Saint Martins library will always have to be our favourite cultural spot!”

In five years time I will be… “We will hopefully still be inspired, designing and managing a successful brand!”