About 25 years ago, when Vogue called to say they wanted to run a photo shoot featuring up-and-coming design practices, and that they were sending a stylist with designer clothes to choose from, I was beside myself with excitement. But their crew came expecting an all-male line up for our studio, dRMM, and anticipated a set of three male directors.

So you can imagine my disappointment when there were no designer dresses, only suits, and no make-up artist or cosmetics to be seen. Already sporting a short haircut and a make-up-free face (ready for painting), I pulled together a menswear outfit and stared into the camera – shoulder-to-shoulder with my male counterparts. The result was a photograph with an ambiguous line-up.

This, and many other early episodes, set the tone for how I had to position myself within the design industry – but having the courage of your convictions was something drummed into me. Brought up in a community set up by my pioneering grandfather, my upbringing often set me apart from other kids.

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