Daks

Designer name: Sheila McKain-Waid

Origin: USA
 
Design background: Sheila studied Apparel Design in New York at the Fashion Institute of Technology and a BA (hons) degree in Textiles Design at the University of Kansas. Before Daks, she worked at Halston, Donna Karen and Oscar De la Renta “where I worked with luxury materials, and learnt about beautiful craftsmanship, simplicity and draping.”
 
Design signatures: “Simplicity and elegance with a British sense of timelessness and luxury.”
 
Career highlight: “Showcasing my first catwalk collection as Head of Womenswear and Accessories for DAKS.”
 
How would you describe the DAKS woman? “She has a timeless, classic, elegance. It’s more about style and attitude.”
 
Trademark piece: “For SS12 the focus is on the dress – easy simplicity for modern dressing.”
 
Three spring/summer 2012 inspirations: “Always the DAKS archive, pleating techniques, post-war designers like Claire McCardell.”
 
What’s next for your brand? “Various brand extensions, especially in accessories, also design collaborations and British manufacturers.”
 
Who are your design heroes? “The architect Zara Hadid and Errol Sandrien.”
 
What are your favourite cultural hotspots in the capital? “The Hanson and Wirth gallery and the Royal Academy of Art – it’s good place to clear my head. Both are near the office too!”
 
In five years’ time I will be… “I prefer surprises… Life is uncertain…”