Last week the night before my graduation, instead of getting crazy good sleep and lining out my outfit for the day a head, I had a far more exciting prospect. Scotland Re:Designed launched last week – a celebration of Scottish textiles and design. The project has seen some of Scotland’s most enterprising and exciting designers and textile brands take their designs to New York, participate in workshops and natch showcase and celebrate their mega good designs in a catwalk. The Lighthouse made an unusual venue choice with the catwalk featuring girls on escalators, dancing. In a less extravagant way that the Meadham Kirchoff/Topshop Jubilee Celebration, but a fresh take on the usual catwalk for sure.
Highlights for me included seeing pieces from Henrietta Ludgate (contemporary structured pieces, including her recent collaboration with Euan McWhirter, as well as the pink peplum Cat Cubie sported to the Scottish Fashion Awards), Bebaroque’s body suits and navy dresses (as per heavy heavy on the embellishment that suits me to a t) and of course Judy Clark’s collaboration with MYB textiles – which essentially means lots of absolutely fucking delicious lace.
Judy’s new collaboration with the textiles company is brilliant, and if the delicate lace pieces that she’s created so far are only the beginning, I am beyond excited to see what is coming next. They are elegant and romantic and maybe just a hint of bridal. Very feminine and beautifully executed.
I was also delighted to see Euan McWhirter’s new jewellery. His hand beaded pieces are crazy gorgeous and his new collection is filled with pleasing bright reds and pinks as well as adding new colours to his celeb fave Lucky Bitches rings (now available in red & gold and black and gold.) Chains, beading – McWhriter’s piece are pretty much investment statement pieces. Full of character, his bold, beautiful designs make him one of my favourite Scottish jewellers.
William Chambers was on form as per, fresh from his win at the Scottish Fashion Awards, he returns with what he does best – black latex flowers. Let me just say that again. Black. Latex. Flowers. Everything about that statement is brilliant. He continues to mark himself at the go to millinery for edgy elegant designs. I love the contradictions of delicate feminine flowers with latex and am a long fan of his work. While I look ridiculous in hats, when I see Chamber’s designs I find myself fantasising about going to the races and maybe trying to be a bit more formal for weddings. Mother of the bride his work is not (though he can do that do) – and I suppose at the heart of it, that’s the appeal.
It should surprise no one that I was in crazy love with Common People’s menswear. Every jacket was pretty much flawless. Can we have them for ladies too please? Effortlessly stylish and cool, this is how to do menswear (and hell, design in general) right. Everything felt really sharp and while I am dying for one for myself, I’m wondering if I can convince the boy to invest in one. Living vicariously through others, me? Never.
I was pleased to find out more about Caerlee Mills. With a nomination from the Scottish Fashion Awards for textile brand of the year and a collaboration with Holly Fulton under their belt, Caerlee Mill’s collection of cashmere and knit if simply gorgeous. American flags and panda jumpers which has me wishing that Glasgow was a little less humid. It is safe to say I am ready for it to be winter again. Maybe.
Overall it was an ecclectic mix of designs, showing a broad spectrum of Scottish design and textile talent, and it is wonderful to see the progression of many talented individuals working within the industry.
Scotland Re:Designed ran an exhibition the 27th June – 1st July, but you can find more about the designers and textile companies directly via the Scotland Re:Designed site. Every single one of them is worth a squatch at least, and begins to explore the diverse and immense talent within Scotland. Cashmere, crystals, latex and lace. You cannot possible go wrong.
Pictures: Bebaroque, Judy Clark, Euan McWhirter and Common People.