I’m not even going to insult Scotland by reeling off what normally pops into mind when one talks of the country (the tiresome haggis jokes and the ubiquitous ‘Men wear skirts’ thing…) because in fact, I truly believe Scotland is a fashion hotbed waiting to happen. Alexander McQueen’s A/W 06 collection’s inspiration? The wild highlands of Scotland. Tartan, the material of choice, used by Vivienne Westwood and also avant gardists Comme des Garcons, of course hails from Scotland. Its natural resources mean knitwear is of a high quality (I love getting my annual cashmere fix everytime I visit my relatives up there!). I’m no stranger to Scotland as my mother’s side of the family live in Edinburgh and Glasgow so my interest is peaked whenever new design talent comes from those parts. As much as I am London-streetstyle-centric, the Scottish art scene (namely thanks to the renowned Glasgow Art School) also has an excellent turnout on the style front.
Therefore, it does not surprise me in the least that Stirling Castle, Scotland will play host to its first Scottish Fashion Awards on May 7th. The likes of Alexandra Shulman, editor of Vogue and Hilary Alexander, the well respected Daily Telegraph fashion editor will be judging. Scanning the list of Scottish new designer nominees, the name Niki Taylor, designer of Olanic, caught my eye, mainly because I remembered she was on the ON/OFF schedule at London Fashion Week a few seasons ago. Having seen the pictures that her PR company kindly sent me, I have officially marked Olanic on my one to watch list. Glasgow-based Niki has been working in fashion solidly for ten years, from designing for commercial brands like Marks & Spencer to styling the band El Presidente. Now that she has been nominated for the award, I can only see her label Olanic’s profile increasing dramatically.
The concept of the A/W06 collection is ‘The Art of Entertaining’ – for the modern day domestic goddess. All-in-one outfits like trousers turning into jump-suits for when you’re feeling indecisive (I can’t resist multi-purpose outfits!) It’s experimental dressing for the home, entertaining guests in the most dramatic fashion. Traditional fabrics are used, greatly notched up in edginess with exaggerated proportions and sharp cuts. What looks simple under a guise, hides the little pleats and tucks to give garments that oomph factor.
If I was ever going to entertain at home, I want to be an Olanic-clad hostess with the mostess.
As a Scot (in Glasgow) I must re-iterate what you said. We have a wonderful, often underrated, textile industry and lots of extremely creative and talented individuals. We have an Art School that few can rival, and even taking a walk along the main shopping thoroughfares in Glasgow you’ll see hundreds of unique and fashionable individuals that rival that of London. The Arches (a huge arts venue) holds a fashion show every year to showcase up-coming Scottish designers. Plus, we have also discovered wonderful ways to work the sweater, seeing as we live in them for 9 months of the year!!! So thank you for comments!