Minister dressed to kilt for fashion show

SCOTLAND'S fashion talent will be showcased on the catwalk in New York today.

Models including the musician Joan Jett and the actors Mike Myers and Matthew Modine will walk down the runway dressed in pieces by Scottish and international designs.

TV presenter Carol Smillie and the rugby player Thom Evans will also grace the catwalk.

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The Dressed to Kilt runway show, whose theme is Mad for Scotland, aims to raise the profile of Scotland's 5 billion creative industries.

The event is hosted by Sir Sean Connery's Friends of Scotland charity and showcases homegrown talent including Johnstons Cashmere and designer Judy Clark. It takes place during Tartan Week, an annual showcase of all Scotland has to offer in the US.

Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop will attend the runway show and a fashion awards event dressed in a Judy Clark jacket from the forthcoming Harris Tweed Hebrides collection.

A "pop-up shop" of Scottish designs has also been set up during Tartan Week on the corner of Madison Avenue.

Ms Hyslop said: "The Dressed to Kilt runway show and pop-up shop provide a fantastic high-profile platform for both up-and-coming and established Scottish fashion designers.

"They showcase Scotland's high-quality textiles as well as designers' work to an influential international audience.

"The creative industries, including fashion, play a vital role in Scotland's economy, with turnover exceeding 5bn, supporting 60,000 jobs and accounting for 6 per cent of Scottish exports."

Ms Clark said: "Showcasing the collection in New York is an ideal way to interact with a global marketplace and … promote Scottish culture and the Harris Tweed industry."