Discovering Mohsin Ali in time for LFW

Since its inception two years ago, the Touba Distribution curated Showroom Next Door has allowed me the opportunity to inspect and fantasise over a few of my favourite brands while introducing me to a few new ones along the way. For the last few seasons, the Showroom has been one of the real highlights of fashion month, an interesting and vibrant place where fashion, art and craftsmanship collide and can be appreciated side by side. Fode, Yuko and Trevor strive to showcase a diverse collection of international designers but above all seek to provide a platform for both established and exciting new British talents. With London Fashion week fast approaching, the trio have now released their full list of participating brands. Now, I have to warn you in advance that the list comes with a health warning, heavy breathy and heart palpitations will be a common side effect. Those of you with weak hearts, please look away now... Casely-Hayford, Sable Clutch, Mr Hare, Armando Cabral, H by Harris, Chauncey, Hannah Martin and Bunney will all present their latest collections and collaborations. To further enhance your heart beat, I would like to share an exclusive Showroom Next Door find in Mohsin Ali.

Since graduating from the London College of Fashion with a First Class honours degree in 1999, the design talent has carved a career that has seen him design and develop product for a variety of brands across the globe. He might have spent the last decade under the radar, learning his trade and developing his aesthetic but now is Mohsin Ali's time to step in to the spotlight. During one of my many visits to the Showroom next week, I will no doubt catch up with this exciting discovery but before then, I could not resist sharing his AW11 look book with you.... 

Ali is a designer who believes in a clean aesthetic and that appliance should be for a reason. Design should be questioned and challenged at all times and only then can you produce and create something truly special. His eponymous label lives by three main rules; form, fabric and function. He has a real love for both traditional and technical fabrics mixing both in his collections as well as his fascination with cut and silhouette, His approach is simple but effective, ‘To the naked eye a product can be simple only when you analyse and look closely do you see the really beauty’. I'm certain that we will be hearing the name Mohsin Ali a great deal in the future.

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