IT may only be two years since Manchester designer Nadine Merabi taught herself how to sew, but this week sees the launch of her debut diffusion line 'Merabi Collections' in Selfridges Trafford Centre for autumn/winter 2012.

“I want my designs to be timeless, not in fashion or out of fashion."

Her signature glamorous dresses are regularly seen on the likes of soap stars Michelle Collins and Brooke Vincent and, most recently, Celebrity Big Brother’s Rhian Sugden. Many of her loyal starry following showed their support at the launch party last night.

Michelle CollinsMichelle Collins said: “I love wearing Nadine's designs, she knows exactly how to dress women and what we like to emphasise about our body's. I think her backless dresses, in particular, are real show stoppers.

“Nadine's dresses photograph amazingly well, which is very important for me when attending press and red carpet events.”

The limited edition dresses, chosen by the store, range from sultry backless and fitted pieces, to figure-flattering draped Grecian styles.

Nadine said: “I am thrilled to launch Merabi Collections with Selfridges. I have shopped with Selfridges for as long as I can remember, and to have my dresses sold in store is a very proud moment in my career.



“My first fashion inspiration comes from the material itself. I love different fabrics and textures and am always inspired by bright and rich, luxurious fabrics.  I was working in events before I turned my hand to fashion so I design for a glamorous and decadent evening lifestyle.

Sarah Jayne Dunne and Nadine Merabi“I want my designs to be timeless, not in fashion or out of fashion. I like to think that you could wear one of my dresses now or in five years’ time, and they would still look and feel great. The ethos of this diffusion line is to create a garment you can’t just pick up from any store.

“I want someone to be able to walk into a room in one of my designs  and for people to say, 'wow, she looks amazing'.”

Merabi Collections is available at Selfridges Online, Selfridges Trafford Centre and Selfridges Exchange Square. Merabi Collections will also be exclusively available to buy at www.merabibynadine.com