Last night marked the seventh annual Scottish Fashion Awards at Glasgow’s Clyde Auditorium, showcasing the best of what Scotland has to offer in fashion, design and textile talent. Scottish Designer of the Year nominees Holly Fulton and Louise Gray joined fashion heavyweights including Stella Tennant and the evening’s host, recently appointed BFC Young Style Ambassador Alexa Chung in feting Scotland’s ever-growing prominence on the international fashion scene. We caught up with Glasgow-born, Central Saint Martins' alumni and winner of the 'Scottish Designer of the Year' award Christopher Kane to discuss Donatella Versace, the secret to success and all things Scottish.

I’m very proud of where I grew up so it’s great being admired at home. There are so many other great Scottish designers in the category who are friends and also great designers whom I admire. It’s great, a huge honour and I’m very flattered

Dazed Digital: Congratulations on your award. Were you expecting it?
Christopher Kane: No, not at all. It’s one of those things that’s always a surprise… a good one though!

DD: How does it feel to be critically acclaimed in Scotland?
Christopher Kane: I’m very proud of where I grew up so it’s great being admired at home. There are so many other great Scottish designers in the category who are friends and also great designers whom I admire. It’s great, a huge honour and I’m very flattered.

DD: What do you love about Scottish fashion?
Christopher Kane: I think we’re just so Scottish! We never forget our roots and that’s really important.

DD: In London, we are currently seeing a vogue for young Scottish designers – do you think there’s a reason behind this?
Christopher Kane: Even disregarding Scotland, I think Britain as a whole is a very talented nation. In general, I think British people work really hard and are very passionate about what they do. That’s how I was as a student and I think you can see it happening all over Britain. We have the best art schools in the world hands down! I went to Central Saint Martins for six years and had the best time. There’s also Glasgow School of Art up here and Edinburgh College of Art as well. So we’re inundated with lots of young and talented boys and girls!

DD: Who are your biggest design influences?
Christopher Kane: That’s a hard question. As you know I work with Donatella (Versace), she’s a great character and has so much in depth knowledge. She’s seen it all basically! To download her brain would be fantastic! I’ve been extremely lucky in that sense that I’ve got to work with one of the best in the business.

DD: What’s coming up next for you?
Christopher Kane: I’m working on menswear, resort S/S13 and also Spring/Summer. There seems to be so many chapters before that big one!

DD: Do you struggle with such a hectic schedule?
Christopher Kane: It is very busy. And obviously I work with Versus as well so I’m going back and forward to Milan for that, but it’s all good, I take it in my stride and get on with it!

DD: What’s the secret to your success?
Christopher Kane: Hard work. There’s no secret! I worked my gut out at college, I was very committed and driven in the sense that I wanted to do something with my life and I made it happen. There’s no fault in that. Confidence is a good thing and you should be very aware of your talents.

Text by Alexandra Rhodes