As from today our fantastic Future Zeitgeist-er's Stud & Stud will be exclusively stocking the currently little known designer Hayley Scanlan.

Dundee born and still very much Dundee based, since graduating in 2009 Scanlan has experienced both the extreme highs and lows of the fashion world. Vogue.com were recently quoted as saying Scanlan "is fast becoming Scotland's coolest young designer", and having had Erin O'Connor commission a studded leather jacket straight after her graduation show, she already has two fashion giants as fans. Add to that an internship over in LA with Jeremy Scott, and Katrina Diamondis asking her to design her tour costumes, she's a girl that's been making it look rather easy. The truth is though, it's been anything but.

While on the surface the breaks have been coming one after another, in reality launching your own label is tough, especially when you're entirely self funded. So we had a chat with Hayley about the trials and tribulations of cutting her teeth in one of the toughest industries out there, and found her to be an inspiring young lady full of passion and determination.

How would you describe your own personal style?
This is a difficult question as I don't really have a specific style as such, I just wear things I like and feel comfortable in. I like to mix things up so I'm not so 'generic' looking, and I never copy anyone else's style, I hate that, it's so boring and unimaginative!

Do you design with a 'Hayley Scanlan girl' in mind?
I always design for myself and design things that I would love to wear. When I'm stuck on something I often ask my Mum or my sister's opinion, we all think very similar. It's very flattering that all of the girls who have worn my clothes are very stylish, so it makes my clothes look even better - it's nice to know people with good taste appreciate your work.

Who's been your greatest inspiration from a design point of view?
My greatest inspiration was my Gran AKA Sups (short for Supergran), I spent a lot of time with her growing up. She was a dress maker and a very talented lady, but never got the chance to use her talents. She taught me how to knit, sew, and always encouraged me to use my imagination and be creative ever since I was a little girl, and that's all I have ever done. It's also one of the main reasons why I have never given up; designing is my true love and the thought of not being able to do it as a career really freaks me out - we are only here once after all!

The patterned materials you use are obviously central to your collections, are all the patterns your own designs?
Yes, I specialised in printed textiles at art school and I've always loved both print and fashion equally. I always remember having the feeling of being unsatisfied when seeing just a piece of designed hanging fabric, and trying to think about how it would look as a dress or something. That's why I decided to take my work to another level by making garments from the fabrics I'd designed. Its a double job designing both but I wouldn't do it any other way, I feel like that's what makes it my own.

Where does the inspiration for the patterns come from?
The inspiration for my print designs can come from anything, from something I see when I'm walking along the street for example, I then start to imagine how I would translate that into a print/garment. I never know how it's going to end up, but that's always how it starts. I'm always instantly attracted to bold shapes, colour and metallic/glittery things. On top of that my work style is heavily influenced by architecture, geometry, symmetry and art movements such as Bauhaus, Constructivism and Futurism.

You're based in Dundee, do you feel that there's almost an expectation that to be successful designer you need to be in one of the world's "fashion capitals"?
I'm based in Dundee because when I graduated I couldn't afford to leave without having a secured job - I graduated in 2009 and apparently it was the worst year to graduate due to the recession. I spent about a year applying for jobs, feeling a bit dis-heartened and really lost confidence, and I was working in jobs that I didn't want to do just to get by.

It was at the beginning of this year when I finally decided that I was going to do things for myself, even without any money, as that is what makes me truly happy. Since then I have had such great opportunities, and think with the advantage of the internet it's not such a necessity to live in the "fashion capitals" as it used to be. With some determination, hard work, passion and imagination, it shouldn't matter where you live.

I'm happy with the way things are going for me right now, obviously this is only the very beginning for me, so it will be interesting to see how I progress being based in a place that isn't particularly known for fashion at all. I might move, I might not, but right now its not an option, I just have to make the best out the situation I'm in.

What's been your proudest achievement to date?
I'm very grateful for all the opportunities I have received so far, but my proudest was being featured on Vogue.com. I really thought it was some kind of joke when I received the email, especially after only producing one collection since graduating. It was a massive achievement for me, lets just hope its not the last.

After such a bright beginning would it be fair to say you've been finding it tough to move forward?
Yes, very tough. I have funded my own work since graduation, and have always worked and done things by myself, that's why I have only managed to make one more collection since. It's very frustrating because for some reason people think I have lots of money, and don't understand the cost to make collections, have them produced etc. However, since my blog post a few weeks ago, where I mentioned this for the first time, I have received quite a bit of interest from potential investors who want to help me move forward next year. Hopefully this will allow me to really make a go of things and take my work to the next level, which is so exciting.

Is that why you've chosen to work with Stud & Stud?
I have chosen to work with Stud & Stud for a number of reasons. I have had lots of interest from many stockists, but of course due to the lack of funds its simply not possible to mass produce these garments to be stocked. There is so much work involved in every one of my garments; every one is hand finished by myself, and having them available on a 'made to order' basis at Stud & Stud is perfect as it allows me to work specifically on each and every garment knowing that the quality will be spot on.

I was very flattered to have been asked to stock there as the standard of the other designers work is exceptional. I've admired all of the other designers' work for some time now, and having my work stocked in the same place as such talent is really flattering and exciting for me. I think I have made the right choice in holding off for the right moment to do this, and it certainly has been a case of "good things come to those who wait".

How else are you looking to move forward, and do you have any advice for others who are starting to find themselves in a similar position?
Well right now I'm expecting twins! They will be here in 10 weeks time so I'm about to take some time off until next year to be a Mum for the first time - I'm really looking forward to it.

I'm looking at coming back with a new collection hopefully around summer time if all goes to plan. I'd love to show at London Fashion Week so I'm using that as an incentive, so fingers crossed.

My advice would be to work hard, believe in yourself and don't give up!