Kate Mead has been chosen to take on the biggest retail challenge of her life – helping create a look for one of the most famous shops in the world.

The clothes and accessories designer from Birmingham was chosen to show off her designs as part of the new season’s 'Storm’ window display at the flagship Selfridges store on Oxford Street, London.

The set-up, featuring her designs, includes dramatic shipwrecks, lobster pots and rigging to give a nautical feel to the new range of clothes and accessories.

And it means her work is now on display with pieces from famous designers like Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney.

Ms Mead said: "It’s fantastic, really lovely. I went up to see it, and it was like a film set, all lit up.

"I’m really pleased that Selfridges invited me to be a part of such a collaboration of design, it’s great that a Midland based designer can gain West End exposure."

She now hopes the exposure will mean more business for her company, Kate Mead Designs.

People have already started getting in touch asking about the Selfridges designs.

Ms Mead started her career in fashion after graduating from Birmingham University two years ago. It was the culmination of more than seven years studying art and design.

She worked for a firm in the Jewellery Quarter for a year before taking the plunge and starting Kate Mead Designs.

The business sells largely through its website, as well as creating personal pieces on demand. There are also plans in place to look at the possibility of selling through retailers like Selfridges on the back of the window designs.

Ms Mead said: "Starting my own business was fantastic, but very hard work.

"It sometimes takes a long time for things to come off, but it’s always really great when they do."

Her work includes necklaces and bracelets, decorative fabrics, scarves, wraps and pins, combining unique techniques such as wrapping, trapped beading and fabric manipulation to create individual pieces of couture wear and accessories.

She said she was inspired by Victorian feminine garments and accessories, because they were an area of passion and personal interest for her.

She added: "The traditional techniques and feminine nature of her designs stem from these interests.

"I have always loved visiting and rummaging through antique shops to find hidden treasures. They are often not worth great amounts but have amazing stories or history attached to them.

"Old photographs fascinate and inspire me, they depict strangers from the past with a history to study."

Ms Mead has won a hatful of awards for her creative work.

One of her wrapped pearl neck pieces was shortlisted for the Birmingham BDI Industry and Genius Awards held at Millennium Point last year.

Hers was one of the few to make it to the ceremony out of hundreds of entries.

Ms Mead said: "It was great to be short listed against such established designers specialising in a variety of disciplines.

"It was a fantastic way to network and meet new people within the creative industries."

She has now been invited to collaborate with Birmingham-based designer Jacob Kimmie. She will be working with Mr Kimmie on two couture dresses that will be the focus of his new Spring/Summer collection showcased on the catwalk at London Fashion Week 2008.

The Storm display featuring Ms Mead’s work will be on display at Selfridges on Oxford Street until the end of April.