Textiles
In a nation where tartan, tweed, and knitwear are synonymous with Scottish design, our local producers continue to be in high demand. From Halley Stevensons in Dundee, who work with waxed cottons that were a staple for sailors arriving in Scotland since the 1500’s, to MYB Lace in Ayrshire, the last remaining lace madras mill, their fabrics are in high demand worldwide.
Knitwear
Scottish knitwear is renowned around the world for its quality. It is said that the softness of the water in the Scottish Borders adds a final touch to the finish on cashmere garments made in the area.
While mechanisation and global production trends have impacted knitwear and textiles, the traditional craft has survived and even prospered. This national case study explores how knitting has adapted to and survived modernisation, interrogating the processes that underpin its sustainability.
Fashion Accessories
With sustainable natural resources and centuries of expertise, Scotland’s designers are able to meet the high standards demanded by top fashion houses worldwide. From tweed to lace, knitwear to technical and industrial textiles, Scotland’s unique style has long influenced global design.
Mackintosh, for example, is the world’s premier coat maker collaborating with globally influential fashion brands like Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga. Their unparalleled expertise with bonded cotton fabric puts them at the top of their industry.
Fashion Design
The fashion industry in Scotland is internationally renowned for its talented pool of contemporary designers. Our iconic tartan, cashmere and tweed fabrics are in demand, from locally-based designers to those at the world’s top fashion houses.
For example, shirts from Glasgow-based Gibson & Birckbeck are adorned with wonderful prints of foxes, squirrels and apples, designed by the label’s founder Katie Gibson herself. The Scottish brand also has a reputation for its quality, with the shirts scoring high marks in the Scottish Fashion Awards.
