Hermione de Paula, the Central St. Martins alumni who graduated with a first-class degree, has been named the recipient of this season's Vauxhall Fashion Scout Merit Award for Autumn/Winter 2010-11 season. De Paula takes over from David Koma, who was awarded the Merit for his Spring/Summer 2009, and William Tempest, who has also won the award.

The award is important to up-and-coming designers, as it means that they are able to introduce their creations to the fashion cognoscenti during London Fashion Week. The designer is well aware of what winning the award means, commenting that, "February is set to be a busy and exciting time for me with my first standalone catwalk show at London Fashion Week and the launch of my Spring/Summer 2010 collection at Browns Focus."

We're excited to see what Ms de Paula will have to offer come February, but given that in the space of one season she has risen up the ranks from 'One To Watch' to fully-fledged Merit award winner, we imagine that this is certainly not the last we will be hearing of Hermione de Paula and certainly not the last we will be seeing of her quirky yet elegant designs.