Leading Scottish firms head to London for one-off textiles showcase
Fifty leading designers and manufacturers from across Scotland will join forces in the first-ever textiles showcase of its kind in the heart of London on Thursday 14 October.
Taking over the Institute of Contemporary Arts on The Mall, Textiles Scotland will present innovative designs and products representing the entire industry, including catwalk fashion, cashmere, interiors, leather, tartan, tweed and technical textiles in a never-seen-before installation.
Highlighting the ingenuity, creativity, heritage and experience of textiles from Scotland, this exclusive invitation-only event aims to showcase the diversity of textiles which Scotland offers to the London and South-East England market.
After a competitive application and selection process, 40 exhibiting companies have been chosen to represent Scotland at this unique celebration. Leading well-known brands such as Mackintosh, Begg Scotland, Johnston’s Cashmere, and Harris Tweed will be presented alongside technical textiles experts such as EXO2, leather specialists Andrew Muirhead & Son and newcomers to the fashion scene, Jaggy Nettle.
In addition 10 of Scotland’s most talented fresh designers and established names including current catwalk favourites Holly Fulton and Henrietta Ludgate will also add their designs to the mix, making sure this a memorable and unique experience for visitors.
The event, facilitated by Scottish Enterprise, was developed out of an industry need to improve its connection with the London and South-East markets, demonstrating the diverse range of traditional and contemporary textiles on offer from Scotland.
Chair of the Scottish Textile Industry Association (STIA), David Breckenridge, understands the importance of engaging with these markets, he said: “Scottish Textiles has, like many industries, felt the impact of the current economic struggles. However we are robust, and have proven many times that Scottish textiles can weather any storm.
“Our industry has an unrivalled reputation for providing quality textiles for world-wide customers. With a diverse range of skills, producing everything from cutting edge design for fashion and interiors to the most luxurious leather for leading car manufacturers and front-line technical textiles, we want to be the first choice for buyers in London and the South-East. We look forward to welcoming many to this event to rediscover Scottish textiles for themselves.”
The textiles industry is crucial to Scotland’s socio-economic fabric with over 640 companies, employing over 10,000 people and delivering an annual turnover of nearly £900 million. And with numerous global brands as customers, all favouring cutting edge design and fabulous quality from Scotland, the industry remains a market leader in the supply of luxury and specialist textiles.
Cathy Black, head of textiles at Scottish Enterprise, who are facilitating the event said: “Scotland remains an important industry player in the supply of stunning luxury fabrics, high performance materials, and innovative products for fashion and interiors. This high-profile event will showcase the Scottish companies and designers who continue to offer a top quality service to an exclusive list of customers in London and beyond in a different, contemporary way, demonstrating the versatility of this established industry.”
Guests will discover the wealth of textiles products, displayed together to highlight the full spectrum of products available from Scotland, and provide the opportunity to see first-hand how the industry is flourishing despite economic pressures and competition from abroad.
About Textiles Scotland
Textiles Scotland was established by the Scottish Textile Industry Association (STIA) to increase awareness of the scope and scale of businesses involved in the Scottish textiles and fashion industry. This brand has been created to represent Scottish interests at international events and provide a single point of contact for the industry.
Textiles Scotland holds regular forums on industry issues and opportunities that help to determine its future.
For more information on Textiles Scotland visit: http://www.textilescotland.com
Companies exhibiting:
EXO² – heat therapy & heated clothing products and is the leading developer of heated motorcycle clothing within Europe.
Harris Tweed Hebrides – award-winning company with a customer base including Alexander McQueen, Calvin Klein and Vivienne Westwood.
Eribé – designs and manufactures quality contemporary knitwear and home furnishings, including numerous hand-knits, selling to Japan, America, Germany and Italy as well as the UK.
Bute Fabrics – a modern company with a traditional heritage who collaborate with leading contemporary designers such as Tom Dixon, Jasper Morrison and Matthew Hilton and weave for the likes of Knoll International, Habitat and Designtex.
Belinda Robertson – produces modern, elegant cashmere utilising traditional production methods and the most skilled artisans to create the finest, most luxurious cashmere in the world.
Mackintosh Ltd – a firmly established global brand that combines updated technology with traditional techniques to create the modern-day ‘Mac’.
Lynsey Jean Henderson – bespoke hand printed wallpapers and fabrics.
Tartan Spirit – currently sold by some of the most prestigious retailers in Scotland including Gleneagles Hotel, Skibo Castle, Jenners, The National Gallery and Kelvingrove Gallery and a favourite of celebrities such as Alanna and Kimberley Stewart.
Johnstons of Elgin – specialising in the manufacture of cashmere and luxury fibres, offering a wide range of knitwear, accessories, home furnishings and fine fabrics to top designers, including a recent collaboration with Scotland’s own Christopher Kane, quality retailers and customers around the world.
Pea Cooper Millinery – bespoke hats.
Robert Noble – intricate patterns, subtle twists, blended fibres and modern methods. Steeped in heritage this company provides a contemporary take on a centuries-old weaving tradition.
Jack Ellis (J&D Wilkie Ltd) – specialise in the design and manufacture of Ballistic body armour and is a major player in the personal protection market with a growing and enviable base of “blue chip” clients including – UK and Foreign government organisations, special forces, police, prisons, private security and media.
MYB Textiles – Morton Young & Borland Textile Group is a Scottish Lace specialist- producing Cotton Lace and Madras for the high end domestic interior market. Specialising in natural fibres such as wool and linen, MYB now also offer Trevira alternatives for specialised contracts. MYB Couture, a flexible design and development facility that works in conjunction with both global high fashion brands as well as smaller boutique. MYB Screen specialises in wide-width flame retardant fabrics for the theatre and film production markets.
Lochcarron of Scotland – manufacturer of prestigious woven fabrics, exclusive knitwear, contemporary accessories & bespoke highlander wear and is the world’s leading tartan manufacturer. Lochcarron has kilted numerous celebrities from Sean Connery to Shrek, as well as designing many new family, corporate & fashion tartans.
The Plan – furniture and textiles specialists, combining creativity and excellence of finished product working with a wide range of clients across a broad spectrum of interiors specialisms.
Harris Tweed Authority – The Harris Tweed Authority took over from the Harris Tweed Association in 1993 by Act of Parliament protecting the definition of Harris Tweed which then became statutory and forever tied the cloth to the Islands. 2010 marks the Centenary of the famous Harris Tweed Orb mark.
Calzeat – established a distinctive design style which conveys a classic contemporary image in subtle colour-ways in geometric and damask designs while retaining some influence of classical Scottish textile design for fabric and home. Hinnigan tm – creates beautiful fabrics and accessories in Scotland; the choice of renowned fashion houses worldwide such as Bill Blass, Paul Costelloe, Ann-Louise Roswald, Eley Kishimoto, Agnes B, Pringle, Matthew Williamson and others.
Ardalanish Isle of Mull Weavers – an organic farm and weaving mill with award winning woollen fabrics and a stunning clothing collection.
Hawick Cashmere – developed the Seamless Garment and produce quality cashmere.
Holland and Sherry – supply prestigious tailors and luxury brands with the finest cloth.
Strumpet & Pink – knickers for women but made manifest as wearable pieces of art. First sold in Browns London, since then Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Cannes, Singapore, Mexico City, Rome, Hong Kong and soon to be Vienna and Amsterdam, recognised as "pioneering the trend for hand-made lingerie".
Macnaughtons – using the finest of fibres, Macnaughton designs and weaves distinctive upholstery, soft furnishing and traditional kilting fabrics. From sheer wool-silk fabrics for window coverings to the heaviest of furnishing fabrics, ranges of classic and modern furniture, throws, kilts, tartan tableware, scout and guide neckerchiefs and luxury silk scarves, Macnaughton Holdings has an unrivalled range of products.
Harris Tweed Textiles – an independent wholesale producer of Harris Tweed supplying both large and small scale garment manufacturers, working closely with major design houses on exclusive commercial collections while assisting the local craft industry and independent weavers produce one off and small runs as required.
Jaggy Nettle – artistic clothing label.
Breanish Tweed – hand weave lightweight tweed – shetland wool, lambswool, cashmere, using 100% pure natural yarns, all dyed and spun in Scotland. Supply cloth to the best bespoke tailors and fashion houses in the world – from Savile Row to 5th Avenue, from Vienna to Tokyo.
Judy Clark/Tiger Textiles – an amalgamation of handmade Harris Tweed textile designs, original art and bespoke fashion.
Voyage Decoration – operate in 3 major product areas, Woven and Printed textiles, Embroidery and Handwork and Handmade Children’s fabrics.
House of Cheviot – famous for its knitwear with a clientele ranging from royalty to gamekeepers, the military and the film industry, as creators of the Hogwarts socks, pullovers and scarves.
Alexanders of Scotland – design and manufacture authentic woollen fabric for apparel and furnishings. Spin and weave woollens from raw wool, leaving the yarn qualities exclusive and the cloth envied the world over.
Catherine Aitken – accessories designer.
Sandra Murray – designer/couturier/artisan, taking private commissions, with a passion for handstitching, combinations of beautiful colours, outstanding fabrics, things that take clothes into another realm.
Robert Mackie – the only bonnet manufacturer remaining manufacturing the traditional Scottish bonnets (Balmorals and Glengarries) which have been supplied to Scottish regiments, bands and Clan Associations throughout the world for many years. Also has knitwear ranges of traditional Scottish styles and our latest fashion ranges.
Green Grove Weavers – wool throws and cushions, mohair throws.
Mark Conlin Collections – fashion designer, well known for his work with celebrities, recently commissioned to design dresses for singer and fashion icon, Roisin Murphy and Hollywood starlet Mischa Barton. Outfits celebrate the female form and accentuate a woman's assets – while still managing to be individual and daring – 'exciting' and 'avant-garde'.
Morag Macpherson – textile artist.
Rarebird Handbags – using only the finest Orb marked Harris Tweed produce handmade limited edition collection handbags interlined with a quality heavyweight linen canvas and lined with designer cotton prints. A hand-sculpted discreet wooden base maintains the shape of the design. Also produce shawls, throws, cushions and soft furnishings in a wide range of patterns and colours, including bespoke pieces.
Mini McGhee – reinvents traditional handcraft techniques with a new range of baby blankets and nursery accessories.
Andrew Muirhead and Son Ltd – specialists in Scottish leather.
Alex Begg & Company – cashmere accessories that routinely grace the world's catwalks and leading boutiques.