DESIGNER Brian Kirkby is set to take on the giants of the fashion world after clinching a deal with American Express.

His father is a mechanic and Brian decided he would follow in his footsteps, until an open day at Rochdale College. It was after switching from a vehicle mechanics course to study a BTEC in fashion that the Bury-born designer found his calling.

And since 1997, Brian (36) has been half of British label Boudicca, and has had his dream realised by receiving financial backing from the credit card firm, though he refused to reveal details of the deal.

The designer grew up in Chesham and Birtle. He moved to London to study fashion at Middlesex University and completed a masters degree in women's wear at the Royal College of Art.

He now lives in Hackney Wick, London, and with business partner Zowie Broach, has created the label that makes clothes for the likes of Nicole Kidman and Cameron Diaz and model Chloe Sevigny.

Brian visits his home town as often as he can, and enjoys catching up with his mum and dad, Angela and Peter, and brother and sister, Wendy and Andrew, in Woodhill, Bury.

He said: "I came to Bury to visit about a month-and-a-half ago. It was great to catch up with everyone."

Brian is now hoping that the sponsorship will have the same impact on Boudicca as it did on designer Alexander McQueen. He was also sponsored by the company while at the same stage as Boudicca is today.

McQueen is now part of the house of Gucci, has stores in New York and London, launched his own perfume and was recently crowned International Fashion Designer of the Year.

Brian said: "Financial stability for any fashion designer allows more freedom, and freedom creates more space for ideas.

"The backing that we get from American Express means we can expand, and move the company on to the next level. No-one in the country really has the money like designers in New York and Paris do. Hopefully, now we have been backed by American Express, we will be able to attract sponsorship from other companies too."

Brian and Zowie are now working on their next collection, but previous work can be viewed at www.style.com