Black dresses are known to be simultaneously rebellious and respectful. Whilst still a student at St Martins, in October 1980, Fiona designed a black leather backless dress..  

She loaned it to Sade to wear at her first performance at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in Soho. It was a great success.  

Fiona went on to design more clothes for Sade.  And in 1983 she designed the iconic backless LBD that is now internationally recognised as one of the most important dresses of the 20th century.

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It was recently featured in the major exhibition 'Beyond the Little Black Dress' at the National Museum of Scotland.