Designer profile: Matthew Hilton

He soon began to create his own range of high-quality, modern classics - his now-famous Bow shelves were launched by SCP - the noted showcase and manufacturer for modern furniture designers - at the Milan Furniture Fair in 1986. In fact, his collaboration with SCP continues to this day and has seen the launch of many famous designs such as the Balzac armchair, the Glide sofa and the Flipper coffee table.

When not working on his own designs, he collaborates with many international companies, including ERCOL, Driade, lloyd Loom and Habitat and his work can be seen in the Design Museum in London (the ultimate accolade for a designer) and the V&A.

In 2007, he'll be launching an own-brand range of furniture and accessories at the 100 per cent Design London show at Earl's Court - the highlight in the contemporary designer's calendar, followed by a new range for ERCOL later in the year.

Says Matthew: 'I love designing furniture - it is always a challenge to design something that withstands the demands of family life, that has excellent design values, craftsmanship and is a quality and lasting product.'