Design a tartan for Trump is the challenge set for fashion students

Published on Tuesday 16 March 2010 22:03

FASHION students at a leading art college have been invited to compete for one of Scotland's most sought after contracts – designing a tartan for Donald Trump.

The young designers at Robert Gordon University's Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen have been asked to create a corporate tartan for the Trump International Golf Links at the Menie estate in Aberdeenshire.

The winning design could be used in the textiles and soft furnishings in the luxury hotel and clubhouse. And the tartan may also be incorporated into the golfwear and resort merchandise for the American tycoon's controversial development.

Mr Trump has made no secret of his pride in his Scottish ancestry – his late mother, Mary Macleod, was born on Lewis in the Western Isles.

Katy Jones, a spokeswoman for the university, explained: "Intended to complement the existing Trump family tartan – Macleod – the new design will be produced in association with leading Scottish manufacturers and local mills. Their brief is to take inspiration from Donald Trump's golf vision and passion for Scotland, using colours that reflect the North-east coastline, Trump's worldwide portfolio and 500 years of golfing heritage."

Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: "This proposed tartan could be a great way to tell the true story of the Trump project.

"A grey background could symbolise the concrete to be poured over this irreplaceable environment."