Harvey Nicholas success for Irish designer

AN up-and-coming Irish designer has been signed by the exclusive Harvey Nichols store in what has been a successful few days for the Irish at London Fashion Week.

Harvey Nichols managers spotted the spring/summer 2007 collection by Helen James from Dublin at an exhibition room in London and will stock it in all their stores next year.

Helen, 36, studied in the National College of Art and Design before moving to New York where she worked with Donna Karan. After taking a few years break from the fashion industry, she returned home to set up her own design studios three years ago.