Scots-born designer JONATHAN SAUNDERS graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 1999 with a BA in Printed Textiles. Subsequently moving to London, he secured an MA with distinction in Printed Textiles from Central Saint Martins in 2002.

The exuberant prints shown in his graduate collection anticipated fashion's new enthusiasm for colour and pattern, and Saunders immediately found himself on the crest of a print revival. Within a year, this son of two ministers from Rutherglen had already made his runway debut at London Fashion Week, laying the foundations of what has now become a truly international fashion business.

Saunders uses traditional silk-screening techniques, with as many as twenty screens per design. His largely hand-drawn prints are created with the finished garment very much in mind, each design being engineered to work with the garment’s component pattern pieces. The result is the most remarkable fusion of print and silhouette.

In addition to working on his own burgeoning collection, now showcased at such prestigious stores as Harrods and Harvey Nichols in London and Neiman Marcus throughout the states, Saunders also creates prints for other major fashion houses. Past clients have included Chloe and Pucci. The vibrant bird-of-paradise print which Saunders designed for Alexander McQueen in 2003 became one of that year’s most photographed runway looks.

Saunders was named Scottish Fashion Designer of the Year at the Scottish Style Awards in 2005.