You can take the designer out of the island but you can’t take the island inspiration out of her designs.

That’s been the case for 22-year-old Meagan S E Wellman.

She graduated last year from the University for the Creative Arts in the UK. Since then she has been working independently in England creating her own collections, one of which was inspired by Bermuda’s Cup Match holiday.

She returns to the Island this weekend to show off her latest designs and sell some of her limited edition pieces at Home Grown Alternatives, a craft market on tomorrow at St Paul’s Church Hall in Paget.

“I’ve brought several of my signature pieces with me and plan to have more to show next year,” Miss Wellman said.

“I will also have a catalogue of my most recent work with me at the event and will be available to talk about my M-SEW brand on the day.”

She blended sporty elements and classic materials for her spring/summer 2015 collection.

The young designer said she was working towards showcasing the items on the local catwalk next year — just in time to inspire people’s Cup Match outfits.

“I’m proud to represent Bermuda in a modern way through fashion and share our tradition of Cup Match with the world.

“It’s a part of our heritage that I love and was sad to miss out on it this year.”

One of her favourite pieces is a leather jacket inspired by vintage cricket bats that would have been used by Alma “Champ” Hunt in his day.

In total there are 13 pieces, including knitwear, vintage inspired dresses and a jumpsuit.

Miss Wellman became fascinated with fashion at a young age when she would see her grandmother, a seamstress, do fittings with clients in her home.

“I always watched her work on cutting and sewing the patterns,” she said. “My mother also would take me into her favourite store, Calypso, to shop. I’d always get lost within the rails and loved looking at the accessories.”

She has grown to love the versatility of fashion. For her it represents a physical and emotional transformation.

“Whether it’s someone’s physical outlook or simply the design process, going from a 2-D drawing to 3-D garment in the flesh, the metamorphosis within fashion has always intrigued me and is what I look forward to when working on a collection,” she said.

Starting her own brand, M-SEW, was something she had dreamed about for a long while.

It’s taken a lot of hard work, energy and sleepless nights to turn that into a reality, she said.

But these days that dedication has been paying off. Miss Wellman was recently invited to take part in public relation’s firm BLOW UK’s two-day press event in London.

There she got attention from big names in the fashion business.

“I wasn’t required to be there as I had to continue with the second half of my collection and a website update, but it was inspiring to be around so many influential people such as stylists from the X Factor UK and Vogue Russia,” she said.

“A representative from Vogue Russia actually got in touch with me soon after the showcase, as did fashion editors from Schön! Magazine UK.”

Miss Wellman said she is looking forward to seeing how her 2015 collection is received. She also hopes to start creating accessories in the near future.

She said: “Branching out on my own has definitely been a big step and a steep learning curve.

“My parents have been very supportive and I consider my dad to be my biggest mentor.

“I’m still at the start of my career, and although the journey may be challenging, I’m excited about the prospect of realising my dream of being a professional fashion designer.”

Useful website: www.m-sew.com