A RISING star in the fashion world

A RISING star in the fashion world yesterday hailed tragic Alexander McQueen as her lost mentor.

But Judy Clark, 26, also paid tribute to her Uncle Donald for weaving the tweed that has helped her make her name.
Judy, from Fort William, started working for McQueen, who died last year, after graduating in fashion from Edinburgh's Heriot Watt University and writing to him asking for a chance to show off her design talent.

McQueen's skill in tailoring as well as his love of Scottish heritage and fabrics made it the perfect learning platform for Judy, who would run up samples for him, dye fabrics, make prints and sew outfits.

She was involved in the green dress McQueen designed for Sarah Jessica Parker to wear to the Sex And The City premiere.
She also met other high-profile industry names such as hat-maker Philip Treacy, who created Princess Beatrice's controversial headpiece for Prince William's wedding, and socialite Daphne Guinness, who was a close friend of McQueen's and had her own rail of outfits at the design studio.

Judy said: "I was a huge fan of Alexander McQueen. He was in and out of the studio but he was quite a private person.

"He had a big office with a pile of Nike trainers and he'd work with a cigarette in one hand while eating strawberries, his favourite things. It was amazing to be in his space.

"I got to see the archive collection he had in storage and see the true vintage McQueen as well. I learnt so much there, not just design but also how to run a business. He used some of the textile pieces that I used and I was delighted.

"I kept a diary of everything that I did and even the floorplan of how it all worked. I noted down everyone who came in and how a successful business like that works, it's great to look back on." For her interview with the designer she made a Harris Tweed jacket which she now calls her Miss McQueen piece.

It's so precious, because it got her the placement, that she says she'll never sell it.