 Winter woollies at the peak of fashion are being launched by a top North East designer. Newcastle-based Nigel Cabourn is launching a limited edition clothes collection based on Sir Edmund Hillary's conquest of Everest 50 years ago. And the prices of the collection are enough to take any mountaineer's breath away with a winter parka coat going for a cool £1,200. Trendsetters from around the globe are already placing orders for the designs by Nigel, 50, who trained at Newcastle Fashion College from 1967 to 1971. He has worked throughout the fashion world but always based himself in the North East. As well as designing the Nigel Cabourn limited edition, he is a consultant for a number of top fashion labels, including Ted Baker, but has always held a soft spot for the clothes of the great explorer. He said: "Ever since I left fashion college I have loved practical clothes people can actually wear. "I saw pictures of Sir Edmund Hillary climbing Everest and trekking across the Antarctic with a sledge and I loved what he was wearing. "I have a collection of vintage clothes of about 4,000 items and I buy wherever I go in the world. That influenced this collection which is unique as I want it to almost transcend fashion and become something which lasts. "It will be bought by people with a real understanding and feel for clothes who appreciate quality and longevity." The clothes are made from authentic British military fabrics, many of which were used in mountaineering garments 50 years ago. Nigel went to the Edmund Hillary Museum in Auckland New Zealand to research his collection and an accompanying book to the collection. The exclusive range will only have 12 styles with no more than 99 items made of each design. It will be placed into stores in Japan, the UK and USA. Only around five shops will be selected to supply the range in each country, such as the up-market Harvey Nichols, Jones and Selfridges. Nigel said: "I hope people will really enjoy the clothes and they will take part in many people's collections. "These are unique limited edition pieces created to last from original materials and to authentic designs." The collection was launched at an exhibition in Tokyo earlier this year on the 50th anniversary of Hillary's ascent. The explorer and his Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norgay, were the first people to reach the summit of Everest in May 1953. The UK unveiling is at Strand, Princess Square, Newcastle, this Thursday. | 
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