Canadian-born designer Mark Fast has had quite the whirlwind week in London. Just a few days ago, it was rumored that many of his staff and stylists walked out of his spring/summer 2010 show at London Fashion Week, after Fast decided to send a trio of plus-sized models down the runway (The show still garnered rave reviews for its beautiful knits and figure-flattering dresses by the way).

Now comes word that Winnipeg-native Fast is the latest name tapped to design a line for TopShop. The 28-year-old Fast is no stranger to London and British design: He left his rural home in Winnipeg to study at Central Saint Martins for five years (citing a need to “see what else was out there”), completing a B.A. and an M.A. in the process. After a collaboration with Bora Aksu and work under Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz, Fast set out to design his own collection, which has been met with tremendous response from both British and international retailers and critics alike.

No word yet on just what his collaboration with TopShop will look like, though fans can likely expect more of the intricate, flowing, cut-and-sewn knits he debuted this week in London (photos below) — and, if the press coverage has been any indication — a little bit of drama too. Find out more about Fast and check out photos from all his collections at markfast.net.

- TC