Scottish textile talent heads to Chicago
Obscure Couture, Judy Clark and Red Brick amongst those set to take ‘windy city’ by storm
Hot on the heels of the successful Scotland Re:Designed initiatives in New York, London and Glasgow earlier this year, a new group of Scottish fashion, textile and design talent, announced today, will showcase their wares in Chicago from 24 – 27 September.
Supported by the Scottish Government, Scottish Development International and Creative Scotland, Scotland Re:Designed will create the first eco-chic showroom of sustainable Scottish fashion and textile in Chicago, with designers Judy Clark, Eribe, Red Brick, Obscure Couture and Iona Crawford Interiors.
Congratulating the successful applicants today, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said: “Scotland Re:Designed is an exciting opportunity for Scottish designers to tap into the American marketplace, as well as showcasing the creativity and innovation in using the natural, raw materials for which Scotland is renowned.
“It’s most appropriate that this business and media showcase is being held in Chicago during golf’s biggest event in the calendar, the Ryder Cup, as we celebrate its handover to Scotland – the home of golf – for 2014.
“Scotland Re:Designed has already achieved £180,000 in sales and, in this Year of Creative Scotland, I'm sure our designers will raise quite a storm in the ‘Windy City’.”
Founder of Scotland Re:Designed Chris Hunt said: "We're delighted to have a fresh mix of design talent taking part in this exciting new opportunity to get involved with the Chicago market, as well as the golf industry which has long been a major player in Scottish fashion and textiles.”
Anne MacColl, Chief Executive of Scottish Development International said: "Focussed around growth, collaboration and internationalisation, Scotland's vibrant and diverse textiles sector has an important role to play in Scotland's economy. Supporting designers to showcase their expertise and talent abroad is a key part of our strategy and further endorses Scotland's world-wide reputation for its high quality, diversity and design excellence."
Scotland Re:Designed will run in parallel to the Ryder Cup at the end of September as part of the wider cultural activity showcasing Scottish music, theatre and art in Chicago.
Celtic Connections will tour for the first time, sharing the best of Scottish musical talent with new audiences. The National Theatre of Scotland will also be in town, joining forces with the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre to present David Greig’s critically acclaimed “The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart”. Renowned Scottish artist, Andy Scott, is the only non-American to exhibit in the major Chicago Sculpture International Outdoor Exhibition. Celebrated for his large scale public art contributions, Scott’s work “The Kelpies” is already in situ at the Field Museum, Chicago.
BACKGROUND ON DESIGNERS – CHICAGO 2012
Judy Clark
Award-winning Scottish Designer Judy R Clark’s exquisite, avant garde womenswear designs in Harris Tweed and vintage lace are instantly recognisable.
Her credits include: Working for the late Alexander McQueen · Being showcased in New York, Tokyo, Russia, Milan, London and more · Being championed by Ford to design a dress using car parts for the company’s centennial year. And being nominated as Designer of the Year at The Scottish Style Awards and The Scottish Variety Awards 2012.
www.judyrclark.com
Eribe
For over 25 years Eribé have been creating innovative design-led collections that give traditional Scottish knitwear a contemporary edge.
Now celebrated worldwide, they are still based high on a hill in the Scottish Borders. A celebration of colour and pattern, their clothing always brings the best out of the finest yarns and strives to make the wearer feel good, colourful, warm, comfortable and stylish. Eribé’s clothing and accessories are beautiful in other ways too as their eco-conscious ethos can be witnessed throughout their business.
Red Brick
Red Brick is an accessories label making high quality, great design accessible to everyone. From digitally printed silk scarves to jewellery pieces derived from original illustrations, Red Brick takes inspiration from everyday life - Woody Allen films, American folk art or just a funny incident seen on the street - to create something truly original. Red Brick is currently stocked in worldwide locations including Glasgow, Tokyo and Melbourne and has created bespoke commissions for private clients including the Design Museum and Freud Museum in London.
Obscure Couture
Obscure Couture create street/stagewear for the introverted extrovert. Directional Couture and Ready-To-Wear ranges are all limited edition, individually numbered and made with love in the UK. We don't follow the trend books we follow our instincts, get Obscure Couture on and feel fearless, desirable and in demand. Make your other clothes jealous.
Iona Crawford Interiors: The Art of Living
While Iona Crawford collections are directional and cement a unique design identity, they consist of earthy and tonal fabrics of Scottish origin including cashmere, linen and leather, as well as silks printed with Iona's painterly artwork. Drawing inspiration from the romance and beauty of the modern Scottish countryside, Iona Crawford, The Art of Living represents the artist and designer's vision for Luxury Home Fashions. Featuring Iona's prints complimented by the world's finest interior fabrics, The Art of Living line comprises fashion and basic interiors inspired by an elegant Scottish lifestyle. Crawford, recognized as a Vogue UK Premier Designer, adapts her painterly style and feminine, timeless vision to create captivating ensemble for the contemporary home.
Previous Scotland Re:Designed projects have seen over £180,000 of sales from American buyers such as Barneys, Bendels and Sacks and media interviews from Vogue.com, Harpers Bazaar and InStyle.
Scotland Re:Designed is a platform that Scottish fashion designers and textile companies can build, establish and secure new and ongoing business relationships with media and buyers, secure short and long term sales and boost brand profiles.
Scotland Re:Designed is open to Scottish designers, Scottish fashion companies and Scottish textile producers who are able to demonstrate a track record of supporting and championing Scotland’s fashion and textile industry. Previous successful Scotland Re:Designed designers included:
- William Chambers
- Bebaroque
- Belinda Robertson
- Judy R Clark
- Henrietta Ludgate
- Timorous Beasties
- Caerlee Mills
- Common People
- Eribe
- Euan McWhirter
- MYB Textiles
- Rosie Sugden
Contact Information
Julia McLaren
Engagement Partner
Scottish Enterprise
0300 013 3223
07801 794046