Young Scots designers stitch up London Fashion Week

Published on Saturday 24 February 2007 00:24

A NEW wave of Scottish designers is strengthening London's status as the world's fashion cap-ital, leading style experts have declared.

Widespread acclaim for Glaswegian Christopher Kane, whose catwalk show was hailed as the most exciting at London Fashion Week, has thrown the spotlight on other up-and-coming names such as Fraserburgh designer Louise Gray.

The new generation of creative talent is set to follow in the footsteps of established Scottish names such as Alexander McQueen and Jonathan Saunders.

Style website vogue.com wrote: "The Scottish tourist board should start shouting more about its propensity to produce some of Britain's top fashion talents. Sitting beside Scot-of-the-moment Christopher Kane at the Central Saint Martins [fashion college] show, you'd have been forgiven for thinking it was the Scottish Fashion Awards."

Glasgow's Jamie Bruski Tetsill and Scott Ramsay Kyle were also given special mention by Vogue, while others such as Aimee McWilliams and Deryck Walker, who is a key figure in London's trendy Dover Street Market boutique quarter, are also receiving renewed attention.

Tony Irvine, from Perth, is one of the youngest names on London's international scene. The 24-year-old is junior fashion editor of fashion magazine 10. Another Central Saint Martins graduate, he recently helped style shows for dress designer Amanda Wakeley and up-and-coming design duo Sinha-Stanhic.

Stacey Duguid, executive fashion editor of Elle said: "It is a very exciting time. A lot of the styles at the moment are very gritty and feisty and that's obviously a Scottish trait. The number of Scottish designers at London Fashion Week was noticeable and as an Edinburgh girl myself that's very pleasing to see.

"It is perhaps more of a coincidence than a long-term trend but Christopher Kane's show was by far and away the most exciting show at London Fashion Week."

Richard Gray, executive fashion director of 10, said of Kane's show: "London is the fashion capital of the world right now and it's taken a Scotsman to help put it there. It has been a long time since I have seen the front row of a London show where American Vogue, French Vogue and British Vogue were fighting over seats; certainly not since the days of McQueen and Galliano anyway."

He added: "What's the trendiest accent in London now? A Scottish one."

The praise comes after Glasgow and Edinburgh were named Britain's third and fifth most fashionable cities respectively in a poll by the London College of Fashion. Voters singled out Glasgow for its "artistic energy" and vibrant retail scene.

And it follows renewed interest in some of Scotland's fashion brands including Pringle, which earlier this year unveiled a "sexier, more contemporary" advertising campaign.

Mary McGowne, organiser of the Scottish Style Awards, said: "It is so nice to see Scottish names getting recognition on the international scene, especially since Christopher Kane was a winner at last year's awards. There is a huge pool of talent here and hopefully this will send a positive message of encouragement to everyone involved in the industry."

Councillor Alex Mosson, chairman of the Glasgow city marketing bureau, said: "

We are extremely aware of the wealth of creative talent that exists in Glasgow and plans are currently underway that will help us develop an even bigger presence at the next London Fashion Week in September 2007."