Dressed to kilt: Designer in global expansion plan

Scottish designer Joyce Young is stepping up investment in her made-to-measure fashion businesses as she seeks to tap into international demand for tartan-themed clothes.

With backing from Royal Bank of Scotland, Young is launching online marketing campaigns targeting customers in the US and China, as well as improving production capacity at home with a new computer system.

Her original business, By Storm, is focused on the design of bespoke wedding outfits and dresses for special occasions, so Young has created JMY Designs to develop other outfits using tartan designs. The two businesses, which employ 20 people, will work together as they seek to expand internationally.

The designer, who noticed strong demand from international clients at her shop in Cameron House at Loch Lomond, said she expects turnover at the combined businesses to increase by 30 per cent this year. She has made clothes for a range of high-profile clients, including singer Susan Boyle for her visit to China.

Young said: “We feel the time is right to develop the business both here and abroad.

“We know that tartan designs work really well internationally and we’re looking to take a more contemporary approach to this, expanding into new markets.”