The free spirit symbolises individuality, standing alone against the crowd, daring to be different or even slightly rebellious. The true artist and those at the vanguard of fashion have always exhibited a quirky sense of personal expression and forward thinking. As we strive to reclaim truth from stereotype, the desire to be different will re-emerge.

This irreverent attitude to design and dogma can result in highly challenging mixes of inspiration with culturally diverse starting points. Clear sightedness is reclaimed by challenging the status quo and exhibiting a healthy lack of respect for existing stereotypes - free your mind, be your own master and live by your rules - imagine it and it can happen.

Rules are made for breaking - no limits produce new challenges. Exploration and experiment often use the strangest mixes of material, colour and form to give the most rewarding results. Old and new, synthetic and natural, tasteful and trashy, precious and throwaway - a melting pot of creativity.

The look is always unexpected. Materials are juxtaposed in exciting, thought provoking ways in order to create maximum impact and drama. Marks, splashes, graffiti and spray are used to add to the energy of artistic expression that integrates freedom and subversion. A sense of discord in material and colour activates a new awareness.

These unconventional attitudes ensure a palette with attitude - unexpected colour combinations challenge our perceptions of cosy co-ordination. Plastic brights mix happily and unrestrainedly with more earthy shades; clear and clean pastels marry degraded and subtle tones. The resulting combinations put over a mood and image of alternative street culture and a playful, optimistic vitality.

Without free spirits in society we cannot move forward; a 'dare to be different' viewpoint will always result in big steps forward for design and style - this theatrical and rebellious reclamation is the true energy of life.