WHEN Glasgow School of Art graduate Kate Costigan went to hear a talk given by design guru Wayne Hemingway, she never imagined that a year on she would be working for the co-founder of the Red or Dead label.

It was only because her dad was a fan of Wayne on television's Soccer AM that she bought tickets for the talk by the curator of the Vintage Festival at the Old Fruitmarket last April.

"I graduated in June 2012 and had been struggling to decide what I wanted to do with my illustration degree and struggling to find even a job on the high street in a clothes shop," reveals 24-year-old Kate, from Hyndland, Glasgow.

"Part of me thought I should only be looking for illustration jobs, because it was related to my degree.

"Wayne talked about the possibility of designers being multi-disciplinary, with fashion designers crossing over to architecture, graphic designers turning their hand to interiors.

"This aspect of his talk really appealed to me, because I wanted to do something creative but in a job where every day would be different and perhaps one where I wasn't an illustrator every day."

Encouraged by her dad David, Kate used her design talent to catch Wayne's eye.

She sent him a good old-fashioned letter, typed on her grandfather's typewriter, along with some examples of her work.

Within a week she had a reply, inviting her to join Wayne's design team in London for a couple of weeks of work experience.

Before she went home, Wayne offered her a job.

"Wayne really liked my letter and still brings up that story. He says if it had just been an email, maybe I wouldn't have been successful," smiles Kate.

The graphic designer moved to London last summer and now does a lot of work for the Vintage Festival, as well as on Hemingway Design's other projects.

"I'll definitely be coming home for the Vintage Festival this year, I wouldn't miss it," says Kate.

She adds: "I've been so lucky to get this job. I was shocked when I heard from Wayne, I hoped he might get back to me but I didn't think it would be to offer me work."

The Vintage Festival will return to Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket on a grander scale during this year's Merchant City Festival as part of Festival 2014 on July 26 and 27, the first weekend of the Commonwealth Games. Tickets are now on sale.

A key component of Festival 2014, the Merchant City Festival will be one of three live zones during the Games that will transform the city, from July 23 to August 3, with a mix of entertainment, culture and enjoyment filling the streets, open spaces and stages of Glasgow.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, chairman of the Merchant City Festival and chairman of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, says: "After a magnificent debut last summer we are delighted to welcome Vintage back to the Merchant City Festival.

Festival 2014 will demonstrate to the world Glasgow's ability to deliver a world-class cultural programme."

The Vintage Festival programme includes dance masterclasses and workshops, a free live stage and a host of club events.

On July 26 the The Soul Casino club will transform the Old Fruitmarket, with some of the UK's best soul, funk, and disco DJs on the decks.

The following night, the Bratislava Hot Serenaders, one of the world's most in demand and authentic 1920s to 1940s big bands, will give their first Scottish performance. The evening will be hosted by Viv the Spiv, alongside dance teachers. Meanwhile, the Torch Club promises an evening of themed canapés, period cocktails and a wonderful opportunity for all ages to glam up and dance.

For live updates follow @MerchCityFest and @vintage_2014 on Twitter, visit www.merchantcityfestival.com, sign up to the Vintage festival newsletter at www.vintagefestival.co.uk or follow Vintage on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheVintageFestival.

Tickets for Soul Casino (£20) and Torch Club (£25) from www.ticketsoup.com/tickets/soul-casino-2014-15843/default.aspx and www.ticketsoup.com/tickets/the-torch-club-2014-15844/default.aspx.

angela.mcmanus@eveningtimes.co.uk