Natalie Encarnita burst onto the British fashion scene with fervour. In just a few seasons, the label has gone from a small indie start up of a young fashion-school graduate to a recognized brand sold in high street chains and boutiques around the world. What makes the label so appealing is the perfect mix of edgy design elements with laid-back wearability.

Paper-Doll: How did you get into fashion design?
Natalie Encarnita:When I was a kid my Mum made all our clothes, and my Grandmother was a dressmaker, so learnt how to sew while I was quite young and became addicted. I moved to the UK from Australia just after my 17th birthday to study fashion and have kept at it since.

What is the first thing you designed?
Probably an outfit for my Barbie!

What inspires you / your work?
Energetic places and people - imaginary and real. Also the style differences between cities/countries, how much it can vary and how much of an impact the environment has on the vibe of the fashion.

Describe your Spring Summer 09 Collection.
Black/White/Silver pieces inspired by the tuxedo in a very relaxed way... Loose diamond shaped dresses cut from airy cream or metallic jersey, cotton lawn and panels of knitted cream lace. Black metal zip dress straps and triangular lapels cut up the garments to add a hard edge.

What is your favourite piece from your Spring Summer 09 Collection?
The Deco Vest Dress in silver - I love this silver jersey because it is so bright and bold against the black triangle lapels, but at the same time the shape is really relaxed and a bit oversized so feels effortlessly edgy.

What is the most difficult thing about your job?
Fitting everything into 24 hours a day. (Sometimes I work in my dreams).

If you could collaborate with any designer / artist / musician / etc. on a single project, who would it be and what would you do?
Maybe the Velvet Underground in the late 60s, on a music/fashion video.

What fashion era do you love?
The 1920s are my favourite, amazing textiles and such an exotic style.

Do you have a real or imaginary muse?
Usually, but it changes all the time, usually a mixture of a few personalities - sometimes it will be a character from a film, a musician, a friend, someone I see crossing the street in the city.

What fashion trend would you not be caught dead in?
Ugg Boots...only because as a kid in Australia the whole family had them as slippers, including my younger brothers. I actually still own two pairs as slippers...

What is your favourite item in your personal wardrobe?
An oversized peach silk t-shirt with a big hand embroidered dragon on the front in cream mustard and mint - one of my best friends bought it for me from a vintage store a few years ago for my birthday, I just love it but haven’t worn it for a while as I ripped it down the front, it is so delicate.

Where do you shop for clothes when you're not wearing your own?
Anywhere...the high street or vintage shops, sometimes ebay if I have the patience, although if I buy anything it’s usually underwear or shoes!

What is on your current fashion wishlist?
Sunglasses! I’m going to Aus for a holiday and am so excited by the prospect of seeing some sun I’m buying all kinds of sunglasses to celebrate.

What is your favourite thing about the city you live in?
The music scene is pretty good here, I live in Leeds in the north of England and just about everyone seems to be in a band or involved in music videos or something.

What is next for your label?
I also hope to start producing special limited edition pieces to retail on my own website, perhaps collaborating with a printmaker for those pieces.

Visit: Natalie Encarnita for more images and shopping links.