CARDONALD College graduate Rebecca Torres has travelled back to her roots.

The designer, who specialises in sleek bodycon dresses in vibrant colours, began educating HNC and HND students at her old college at the start of this week.

It is the latest boost for Rebecca who has just finished her spring/summer 14 line called Dimensions, and is in the running for Young Fashion Designer of the Year at this year's Scottish Fashion Awards.

Rebecca is also enjoying being a newlywed after marrying partner Michael Sherrington, 29, earlier this year in Madeira.

She said: "It is a really exciting time for me and the label.

"I am lecturing in fashion and design at Cardonald three days of week so I'll have to work out how to fit everything in."

Rebecca showed off her new line, which has 16 pieces, at the Edinburgh International Fashion Festival in July.

Alongside other designers - including city-based Obscure Couture and Mairi McDonald - Rebecca took part in the Future Fashion show.

"Anna Freemantle, the festival director, approached me and asked if I wanted to be part of it. I jumped at the chance," said Rebecca.

"I really enjoyed seeing what is going on in Scotland because there is so much talent. This year we have been able to further expand the brand.

"We have managed to gain a stockist in China, which was down to the trades mission to Beijing.

"It was such a different community and the collection got good feedback."

A further nod to Rebecca's global presence is that she has picked up a stockist in the Ukraine and Lithuania, as well as three in the UK.

She now has plans for her business in America. She says her brightly coloured dresses are big sellers across the Atlantic.

Rebecca also wants to develop a line of swimwear.

"I do find a lot of the traffic to my website comes from American customers, so I really want to build on that," said Rebecca.

"I think it's because Americans are a bit more flamboyant and like their clothes louder.

"We are determined to keep building on stockists."

Rebecca, who went on to get a fashion business degree from Glasgow Caledonian University after Cardonald College, says it's a myth that women should steer away from tight clothes.

She said: "My best sellers are usually in sizes 12-16

"I think some women have an idea that they need to layer up and wear loads of clothes to hide the bits of their body they dislike.

"But actually you look slimmer when you wear something fitting.

"My dresses include clever panelling to enhance curves."

THE designer says her style is mirrored in her work. She said she sticks to "clean lines and bodycon" and can often be seen wearing pieces she has designed.

She added: "I have always loved playing around with lots of print and colours so I have tried to stick to that but gone for a different angle in the new collection.

"It is about looking at shapes, colours and the visual impact.

"I would never design anything I wouldn't be happy to put on. My favourite thing to wear is a long midi dress."

Rebecca, who is part of a group of promising young designers taking part in support scheme Fashion Foundry, has already had a sell-out collection on ASOS and has been featured in magazines, including Vogue, Grazia and Look.

Despite travelling to some of the world's most fashionable destinations, Rebecca says she loves Glasgow style.

"I think people are much more aware of how they dress now than before," she said.

"With all the great retailers in the city, people dress and put things together really well."

For more information visit www.rebeccatorres.co.uk

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk