IT is only the beginning of September, but the temperature is starting to drop as autumn approaches.

So now is the time to start thinking about how to keep warm over the coming months.

RACHEL LOXTON asked Prestwick-born designer Hilary Grant to share her advice on how to dress

as the nights draw in.

HAVING moved from the West of Scotland to Orkney more than two years ago to live with boyfriend Robbie on

his parents' sheep farm, Hilary Grant is used to battling

the elements.

And the 28-year-old was not afraid of getting stuck in to rural life.

She said: "It was a really interesting place to live, and I loved seeing the amount of work that goes into each animal.

"I would usually wear two jumpers with jeans and a woolly hat because it was never warm."

It was while living on the islands that Hilary began expanding her luxury knitwear label, which perfectly matches the unpredictable Scottish weather.

The idea to start the business came after a push from her friends and family.

They loved the pieces she made

for them and encouraged her to go

all the way.

Hilary has just launched her third collection and has stockists across Scotland and Australia.

This season, the fashion star has gone for chevron patterns and baby blue and chic grey colours, in a vast collection of mittens, hats, scarves and turbands.

There is also a new addition to the mix: knitted collars that Hilary says are for people who prefer something less bulky but still cosy.

Hilary, who graduated from Duncan Of Jordanstone College Of Art And Design, in Dundee, six years ago, said: "I have

been trying to build in smaller pieces

to wear round the neck because I know some people don't like bulky scarfs

round them.

"The headband was something that came in between seasons so this is

the official launch and we have it in different colours."

Hilary's influences come from where she lives as well as her long train journeys around the country.

She said: "I do a lot of travelling, so spend a lot of time just staring out the window.

"It sounds like a cliche but I think the landscape is always an influence to me and it's so diverse and interesting.

"A lot of the colours are taken from Orkney and the rural surroundings.

"The chevron pattern was inspired by the way the fields look when they have been harvested.

"There are all these tractors with bright primary colours on them.

"When I go into town I like to walk along the harbour and watch the

fishing boats so they were an

influence, too."

Hilary says the best way to layer up

in the cold is not to be afraid of wearing

a hat.

"People should try out different styles and see what suits them and what they like wearing," she said.

"I think it's kind of sad when people just wear the same type of thing all the time. You just have to take a risk and

go for it."

Most of her designs use two colours

so they are easier to wear with the rest

of your outfit.

She added: "I have made certain

styles shorter in this collection so

there is less chance of them getting caught anywhere."

Hilary uses lambswool from Australia before dyeing the yarn in Huddersfield and working with manufacturers based in the Borders.

She said: "Most of the lambswool that is used for knitted hats and scarves comes from New Zealand and Australia because British lambswool is not soft enough to be worn against skin."

The designer is now hard at

work on next winter's collection, with a view to developing

pieces for winter in the

southern hemisphere'.

Hilary, who is part of Glasgow-based Fashion Foundry which supports promising designers, would like to see her accessories sold in a store such as Cruise in Glasgow.

"That would be amazing, I would love that to happen," she said.

When she is working, Hilary sticks

to a "uniform" of a denim shirt with skinny black jeans.

She said: "I do love colour and clothes, but I try not to think too much about what I am wearing so that it frees

up my mind to think about designs.

"I think it is good to be like Karl Lagerfeld and stick to a trademark."

Hilary says she enjoys shopping in independent stores such as Folk

Clothing, as well as Cos and Whistles,

in Princes Square, when she is in Glasgow.

But you will always find her wearing her own pieces.

Hilary said: "It's quite hard not to.When you have a pile of beanie

hats in the corner, you just want to

put one on."

l hilarygrant.co.uk