Last year, at 28, Chalayan was honored with the prestigious Designer of the Year award at this year’s annual British Fashion Awards. From his cramped studio near Covent Garden, Chalayan has developed a reputation for being a serious man of ideas who avoids fashion’s social circuit like the plague, preferring a spot of Heidegger to the 'it' clubs. Such modesty and talent has earned the admiration of many fashion VIPs. "I like his attitude and way of thinking," comments the ultra-elusive Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons.

¶ 9:16 PM