What really goes on behind the scenes? Industry experts share their knowledge

Jonathan Simkhai is a young New York-based and Parsons-trained designer, whose aesthetic is sporty but smart, clean and well honed, borrowing influences from the pieces that make up the classic American wardrobe. His fledgling label is going from strength to strength, with the help of the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America).

How did you come up with your latest collection?
My friend spent the night over at mine, I wanted her to come with me to brunch and she said 'I don’t have anything to wear apart from my heels and my party dress.' So I gave her this over-sized man’s shirt, which she wore with the heels, and she said ‘wow, I feel so cool’. So we went to brunch and had a good time. And I asked for the shirt back a few months later and she said ‘no it’s my favourite', and that inspired me. So it’s kind that idea of menswear borrowed from the boys to make girls feel continuously cool.

Where do you look for your inspiration?
It can really be anything and anywhere. Once I was really inspired by this barn. We were in upstate New York and I stopped the car – there were these wooded planks on this barn, with the paint chipping off and the grey, mouldy wood coming through underneath. That became a print in the autumn 13 dresses.

Your clothes feel classic but look very modern. How do you balance that?
It’s not just about the silhouettes, it's also about that menswear influence. Maybe some pieces have a typical Fifties silhouette, but it has the techy fabric and zig-zag stitching, and it feels younger, fresher, newer. Different elements help, I guess – the sporty stripe on smart trousers, bodycon with sweatshirt details. I want women to think 'wow, I feel so cool!'