NICK Clegg's wife flew the flag for Scottish fashion as she joined her husband at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference in a dress by Scots designer Henrietta Ludgate.

Miriam Gonzalez Durantez showed off her curves in the £390 white peplum dress to delegates in Brighton as she offered her support to the Deputy Prime Minister.

Ms Durantez is a fan of the luxury women's wear designer, a Herald-sponsored Scottish Fashion Awards winner, and wore a Ludgate design to the royal wedding.

Ludgate, originally from the Highlands, prides herself on using fabrics from the UK and the "Chimera" dress is made from Yorkshire jersey with the peplum detail at the hips made from recycled baseball caps.

The eco-friendly designer uses "end of the line" fabrics which would otherwise go to waste and uses locally-sourced material.

She is a graduate of Central Saint Martin's School of Art and began her career as a stylist and costume designer before going on to work for British designer Osman Yousefzada.

She launched her label in 2009 and has won the Ethical Fashion Forum's Fashion Innovation Award, for London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010, and a Scottish Fashion Award in 2011.

Other celebrity fans are Livia Firth, wife of Colin Firth, who wore one of her designs to dine with the Queen, Michelle Obama, Downton Abbey's Elizabeth McGovern and Scottish singer Emeli Sande.

Tessa Hartman, fashion writer for HeraldScotland and Scottish Fashion Awards organiser, said: "Henrietta has amassed an impressive number of awards already. I remember first seeing her looks back in 2009 and being wowed.

"She's adventurous, almost futuristic and always very sensual against the female shape, working with a strong structured silhouette within each of her collections.

"She has always supported her Scottish heritage and likes to work with local suppliers as well as being a big fan of eco fashion and sustainable materials.

"It's wonderful that Miriam has chosen a Scottish designer at the conference but I am not really sure if it was the right look for Miriam. I would have tweaked the length of the dress just a little on her."