Kane and able

Their fans include some of the biggest stars in pop and fashion but Scotland's favourite design duo keep their feet firmly on the ground

FROM his iconic bandage-style body-con shapes that won universal acclaim in the world's fashion press, to his 2008 flyaway chiffon ruffles and luxurious snakeskin prints that have already garnered an impressive waiting list, Christopher Kane has been synonymous with high glamour and cutting-edge fashion since he burst on to the scene just two years ago. But while he may well be the darling of the high fashion set, whatever you do, don't mention it to the 25-year-old Scot. Or talk about celebrities.

"That's not what we're about," shrugs a refreshingly down-to-earth Christopher. Dressed down in an all-black uniform of skinny jeans, a crisp black shirt and cashmere knit, he refuses to stand out from the crowd, shunning the fashionista's drink of choice – champagne – for a glass of house white.

"High fashion is disposable, and that's not us," he says. "Our designs are not just clothes to us. Everything we create is personal, it's unique, has references from our childhood and Scotland. High fashion? I can't stand it... and don't even get us started on It Bags."

The "us" is Christopher and his 30-year-old sister Tammy, who is widely referred to as his muse. However, as he is quick to point out, she is much more than that and "Christopher Kane" is very much a two-person operation. When Christopher moved from his home in Motherwell to study at London's illustrious Central St Martin's at just 17, Tammy, herself a designer who trained at the Scottish College of Textile Design in Galashiels, went with him.

It wasn't long before his work caught the attention of the fashion industry, Vogue featured his student work and American Vogue editor Anna Wintour turned up to his degree show in 2006. Within a week of graduating he'd been whisked off to Milan to become a consultant for Donatella Versace, launched his own label and had everyone, from Kate Moss to Chloe Sevigny, wearing his collection.

"We don't go for the whole celebrity thing," Tammy says. "Even when Victoria Beckham wore one of our dresses, she looked amazing in it but we weren't fussed."

Self-effacing Christopher doesn't subscribe to the stereotypical fashion designer ideal. And, like his sister, he isn't fazed by stardom. "While we're excited if childhood icons of ours – like Cher and Madonna – are buying or borrowing our stuff, we don't design for celebrities. That whole lifestyle isn't us.

"The thing is, people assume I've undergone this huge transformation, that my life is so glamorous, but at the end of the day it's my sister Tammy and me, still living in our little flat, trying crazily to finish the next collection."

Tammy laughs, and adds: "You know, we still go places and feel like imposters. We've turned up at clubs and our names haven't been on the list. And you know what, who cares? We're never going to be those people who turn all 'do you know who I am?' It's not who we are."

With their afternoon plans including a spot of vintage shopping in Armstrong's and hitting Edinburgh's Grassmarket area to get "really drunk", it's evident that their strong bond and continual references to their working-class upbringing are part of what keeps them grounded. "Tammy and I see our clothes in magazines and go, 'Oh wow! Right, back to work again.' It's fashion, eh? It's fickle."

He adds: "At the end of the day it's just work. We love what we do and we're really lucky to have each other. We do clash and there are always going to be moments when it happens. But we don't fall out. You've got to have a point of view and you need to voice your opinion. It's just really natural between us – it's just clicked."

While their debut catwalk collection showed a fantasy version of female sexuality, this season uses looser body shapes. Snakeskin prints, suspended ruffles, western shirts, stonewashed denims and floaty silhouettes were inspired from the pair's upbringing the 1980s. "We grew up sitting on the sofa watching late-night horror films like Carrie, or Prisoner Cell Block H," laughs Christopher. "And Crocodile Dundee."

It is these domestic details that have helped develop one of the most-watched young designers, and it's clear that strong women have always been Christopher's inspiration. That, and clothes that felt Scottish – from the colours and textures to the type of woman who would wear them. "I think that idea of a strong, no-nonsense, confident woman is very Scottish. I always imagined my designs being worn by older, really confident women. Older, confident women with really fantastic bodies…"

And the siblings take their creations very seriously. "They're not just clothes to us, and that's why we're protective over them," says Tammy. "Everything we create is personal to us, it's unique and that's why we're so confident when we present something."

Their collection has finally made it home to Scotland, setting up in Harvey Nichols later this month. But the pair are both excited and nervous about the Christopher Kane brand coming home. "It's our first ever Scottish collection so it's really nice for us," smiles Christopher. "Scotland's our home so it means a lot. It's still all very surreal, especially when you walk into a shop and see your clothes."

However, while the clothes are now available in the capital, Christopher is keen to point out that a serious session with the credit card does not a stylish person make. "It comes down to personality, not fashion," he says. "I think it all becomes a bit sinister when you bring it down to having the latest It Bag, buying into the latest must-have. It becomes a bit too hoity-toity and serious. Look at people around you – every single person is stylish in their own way. Style comes from personality. If you're lucky enough to have lots of money, you can put clothes together, but it takes personality to make style."

Tammy agrees: "Clothes make you feel special. You can feel like the most amazing girl in the room with the right clothes. But you need to have the right personality to carry it off."

So have the Kanes always been stylish? "Yes," says Christopher, smiling, then adds: "But I did have a thing for Benetton. I was always in it – especially those multi-coloured jumpers. I must have looked crazy – orange jumpers and matching trousers. Why didn't you tell me?"

"You looked great – everyone said you looked great," laughs Tammy, in true sisterly style.

"I loved shopping and I still have all my clothes," she adds. "Style is not about buying the latest fashionable thing just because it's 'in'. It's about buying something that says something about you, and wearing it well. When you have that, you never throw it out. This whole disposable fashion thing is ridiculous. Clothes are for loving."