CASTING an eye over the lucky lady standing in front of him Osman Yousefzada quickly picks out a dress from the rails. And what do you know - it's exactly the right size and shape to leave her looking like model material.

Well, he should get it right. He designed the dress after all. And nine others like it - for a stunning collection of 10 perfect Little Black Dresses for high street chain Mango.

Style caught up with the sought-after designer in-store at Selfridges on Exchange Square in Manchester, where the limited edition range launched exclusively.

Something of an open secret among the super glam fashion set - who snap up his designs - the Birmingham-born couturier has an A-list client list including Charlize Theron, Kate Moss, and Lily Cole.

Although, as he is still an up-and-coming new kid on the fashion block, this is his first foray into high street territory. Following in the footsteps of the likes of Giles Deacon, who has designed for New Look, and Stella McCartney who designed for H&M.

However, he says he was keen to keep it quite a small collection, with just 10 key pieces, to keep an exclusive designer feel - albeit at high street prices, with dresses ranging from £40 to £80.

"I really focused on the collection to make it look quite designer," says the charmingly bashful designer.

"The dress might retail at £50 but I want it to look good, so I really paid attention to the fabrics, using silks and natural fibres. I don't really like `sweaty fibres' as I call them - and I didn't want to dilute my style too much. It's a kind of super-edited collection.

"Collaborations like this are a great way for young designers like me to get their vision out to a larger audience. People might see my work in magazines but this makes it more accessible."

A former city banker, turned designer, Osman's dresses are loved for their classic lines, cut - and unusual splashes of detail. For the Mango range he kept the basic looks quite simple but with stunning details in cobalt blue or gold. With global influences too, drawing on everything from Masai jewellery to his family's Afghan origins.

"The little black dress is the safest wardrobe staple, that's why women still love it," he explains. "You can always pick it up and look amazing. I've done several different styles and shapes to flatter every figure. Half the collection is very fitted but still quite flattering to hide stomachs, while something like the baby doll dress will give an illusion of pulling everything in.

"But I've also used some ethnic touches to try and make it a bit more interesting."

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