Scotland took over New York City last night with the annual catwalk show, Dressed to Kilt, held at the Hammerstein Ballroom on West 34th Street and this time, the newbies stole the show.
Dressed to Kilt is the most high profile Scottish fashion event in the world (including Scotland); it's one of the top three fashion shows in the world, coming right behind the Victoria's Secret show. This shouldn't come as a surprise because the DTK show brings together the most Scottish design talent on one runway - no mean feat with so much design talent coming out of Scotland over the last few years - attracting media coverage from all over the world including Russia, China, Japan, India and Europe.
For 2011, nine up-and-coming talented Scots created innovative new pieces for the internationally renowned celebrity event in New York, which is now in its ninth year. Recent Jolomo Award winner Judy Clark hit the catwalk with a special Harris Tweed collection celebrating the Centenary of the world-famous Orb. She was joined by acclaimed newcomer Henrietta Ludgate, Claire McInally, Hayley Scanlan (supermodel Erin O'Connor is a big fan, discovering Scanlan's designs during a visit to Duncan of Jordanstone in Dundee), Iona Crawford, ten30, Strumpet and Pink, Di Gilpin and traditional kilt makers, Kiltpin. Other British designers included Deryck Walker, House of Holland, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen.
With support from industry body Textiles Scotland, the Dressed to Kilt end product was an exciting culmination of weeks of hard work and creative inspiration, proving once again that Scotland has a wealth of design talent that continues to knock the international fashion pack off their Louboutin-clad feet.
From top:
1) Harris Tweed Centenary frock coat and lace dress by Judy Clark. Hat by Pea Cooper Millinery for Judy Clark.
2) Claire McInally grey cashmere and leather dress at the Brooklyn Bridge.
3) Henrietta Ludgate neon pink dress at Times Square.
4) Hayley Scanlan hand-painted leather studded jacket at the Guggenheim Museum.
5) Bespoke Claire McInally dress made using 100% Scottish cashmere from Begg Scotland at the Brooklyn Bridge.
All images courtesy of Weber Shandwick, with thanks.
