Dancing to the top of his game

For some designers, creating a follow-up to a collection showcase that featured ballet dancers instead of models and a dance floor instead of a catwalk could be too much to handle. Luckily for his fans, this isn't a dilemma faced by Ten30 designer Alan Moore.

The confidence is understandable - the woman's fashion label has enjoyed a year packed with rave-reviews, trips to New York, and to top it all off Moore was awarded 'Designer of the Year' at The Scottish Variety Awards. Moore, evidently, is more than delighted it's almost showtime.

Shortly after Ten30's 'Ukrainian Girl' collection earlier this year, Moore was asked by Textile Scotland and Scottish Development International to take part in 'Dressed to Kilt' in New York, a charity fashion show dedicated to up-and-coming talented Scots.

"The experience was amazing, not only from a personal level but on a professional level as well. I was alongside some big names in the industry," Moore told The Journal.

"It showed we where I was going right and wrong with Ten30. New York taught me that I had to really up my game."

Once Ten30 came down from the highs of the Big Apple, Moore began to nurture relationships with fabric producers and manufacturers to ensure the label reaches the highest possible standard.

He added: "We're working with Garynahine Harris tweed, a small producer of Harris tweed based in Lewis. There is a very subtle but apparent Scottish theme running through the collection.

"The theme for the show developed really naturally and organically. The main influence for the collection is taken from female characters in old gangster movies like Goodfellas and Scarface. It's quite an obvious reference and very stylistic.

"I wanted to show the vulnerability these woman had, and just how complex the characters actually are through the garments."

Moore insists the stereotypical trashy, cheap look is given new life in his collection by using beautiful silks mixed with soft leathers, traditional tweed mixed with vivid fur – all with subtle detailing. It is amazing what a difference six months can make.

"I feel this collection is more mature and refined. I think it shows how much we have grown as a label and how I have grown as a designer," said Moore.

"The fact that we are working with people such as Garynahine Harris Tweed and the Harris Tweed Authority is testament to that growth."

So just how do you a follow a show with pirouetting ballet dancers? Moore admits he doesn't feel the need to go bigger. "I didn't want to fall into the trap of putting on bigger and more exciting shows.

"That's not to say I don't have more ideas, I'm already planning the next show to be something never before seen in Glasgow."