Exciting FREE open studios event returns to Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios
Featuring the work of over 30 artists from paintings to photography and illustrations to fashion
Meet the artists and makers and get the chance to win an original piece of art in a free raffle
Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios are delighted to be opening our doors to the public again this Summer for another exciting Open Studios weekend onSaturday 20th & Sunday 21st June from 12noon – 5pm.
Come along to meet the local designers and makers in their studios and browse a wide range of original artworks and gifts. Everything is handmade here in the heart of Edinburgh.
Fine art / painting / ceramics / illustration / animation / fashion / textiles / photography
There will also be a FREE raffle featuring exclusive prizes donated by Abbeymount Studios artists.
With over 30 artists and creatives taking part, there really is something for everyone. Artists include Edinburgh-born printmaker Rob Stevenson Art, who transforms his photography with bold, bright colours. His work is shaped by the cities he’s lived in and loved, blending precise imagery with the energy of larger-scale street art.
Also participating is up-and-coming wildlife artist Kirsten Mirrey whose work is inspired by the nature and wildlife around her growing up. The most recent collection of work spanning the past five years has been focusing on both exotic and endangered wildlife in a highly realistic style. Each piece is created “hair by hair” and can take many months to complete.
The world of textiles and fashion is also covered with the work of award-winning slow fashion designer Jen Byrne. Sustainability & ethics are at the heart of her process and inform every decision while impeccable quality and attention to detail are staples of the brand. Jen’s limited edition pieces reflect the changing landscape of a craft made using exclusively what can be found second hand or as waste textiles.
The poster for the Open Studios weekend was designed by Abbeymount-based illustrator and children’s book author Trista Yen. She works digitally but picked up her painting brushes again recently to explore more possibilities of illustration.
Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studio Manager Bob Guilianotti says: “We’re delighted to be opening the doors of Abbeymount to the public again for our Open Studios weekend.
“There’s an exciting choice of artists and makers to meet as well as the chance to explore this historic building. It’s a chance to meet our resident artists and makers as they demonstrate their work and discuss their inspirations.”
Out of the Blue CEO Rob Hoon adds. “Out of the Blue are delighted that Abbeymount Studios artists take the trouble to show their expertise to the world.
“Open Studios is an increasingly popular event that illustrates the breadth of creative talent working away all year round” .
Details of the Open Studios Weekend, as well as a list of participating artists and makers can be found on the Out of the Blue website.
From 28th – 30th March, St James Quarter will play host to an enviable line-up of style talks, fashion shows, beauty masterclasses and more
Edinburgh STYLE will return to St James Quarter this March; bigger, bolder, and more stylish than ever before. Edinburgh STYLE 2025 will bring exciting new partners, including Pat McGrath Labs and W Edinburgh.
Set to be a vibrant celebration of fashion, design and creativity, guests can expect unmissable masterclasses, expert speakers, fashion shows and live entertainment.
Edinburgh STYLE weekend with W Edinburgh
For the first time, Edinburgh STYLE will offer a weekend package, with a two-night stay at W Edinburgh. The weekend tickets, with prices starting at £918, include exclusive access to STYLE workshops with industry luminaries, front row seats at two fashion shows, pop-up gigs, and a very special drinks reception with the Grazia team, plus VIP speakers and so much more. It’s the perfect gift for fashion-forward mums this Mother’s Day.
W Edinburgh guests and weekend ticket holders will be able to attend an incredible line-up of events across the three days, including talks from some of the UK’s fashion industry leaders and commentators.
Ex-American and UK Vogue contributing editor and novelist, Plum Sykes, will divulge some of her industry-leading knowledge; and Navaz Batiwalla – aka Disneyrollergirl – will discuss how style has influenced her career, from fashion editor to one of the first internationally recognised bloggers, to writing two ult-a stylish tomes.
Scotland’s own Iain R Webb, writer, curator and Professor of Fashion & Design at the renowned Kingston School of Art, will share his unrivalled insights into the evolution of fashion, trends and style.
CEO of Harris Tweed, Margaret Ann, will provide a unique insight into the Brand’s recent Dior partnership, and share how Harris Tweed Hebrides takes a design-led approach to collaboration and partnership. Timorous Beasties, Pam Hogg and more are also confirmed to share their stylish secrets across the weekend.
Alongside the activity at W Edinburgh, the Quarter’s Level 3 the Essential Edinburgh STYLE Lounge will play host to FREE workshops and masterclasses led by top industry insiders from some of the City’s most-loved fashion and beauty brands.
Because this year Edinburgh STYLE is being embraced by our neighbours at Multrees Walk and George Street, shoppers will be able to enjoy a wide range of in-store experiences at over 50 brands.
Susan Hewlett, Brand and Marketing Director at St James Quarter, said: “Edinburgh STYLE has been a key event for St James Quarter for the past four years, continuing to evolve with additional experiences and new collaborators. We are delighted to be joined by a new line-up of partners in 2025, who will add exciting new elements, as well as having our friends from Grazia return for a third year.
“From the ultimate fashion weekend at the W Edinburgh, to amazing shopping experiences around the Quarter, through Multrees Walk and down George Street; along with fashion talks, beauty masterclasses, runway glamour and more, – what a way to welcome spring and spoil mum! STYLE is always around the Quarter.”
Download the St James Quarter app or follow on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and more information on how to get involved in Edinburgh STYLE 2025.
Fashion garments, textile designs, interior design projects, digital designs, fashion marketing and design management work will be among the final year projects on display at the High Mill building, a converted textile mill in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, where the school is based.
A spiky silver jacket and other fashion items around the theme of men’s mental health; an immersive room that introduces visitors to Lagos in Nigeria; fabric designs inspired by Scottish landscapes and folklore and interior designs for a community arts hub in Perthshire are among the projects on display.
The 2024 Degree Show will launch with a private showing for industry, staff and friends and family on Friday 31 May, before opening to the public between Saturday 1 June to Friday 7 June.
Students from countries including Italy, India, Egypt, Spain, Scotland, Hungary, Croatia, Nigeria, Poland and Ireland are taking part in the event.
Matea Mandarić, 22, from Croatia is in the final year of her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Fashion at Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design.
Her Degree Show project has involved creating a series of fashion garments around the theme of men’s mental health and with the slogan, ‘Boys don’t cry.’ Her centrepiece outfit features a silver puffer jacket with large fabric spikes on its hood, worn with partitioned tartan trousers linked together with metal chains (top)..
“There’s this idea in society that men are meant to be macho and not cry,” Matea says. “It’s particularly prevalent in the Balkans region where I’m from. So I wanted to start a conversation around men’s mental health and use menswear as a sort of protection against society’s expectations.
“I’ve created a jacket that’s protective and soft on the one hand, because it’s filled with very soft stuffing. But on the other hand, it still looks quite fierce because of the spikes.”
Matea has designed and stitched all her Degree Show outfits from scratch over the last year, despite never having threaded a sewing machine before starting her course four years ago. She now hopes to study an MA in costume design for performance at London College of Fashion.
“Heriot-Watt has really helped me build the skills I need to feel more confident in my design practise,” Matea says.
Eguvwe Yugbovwre,36, from Nigeria is studying a postgraduate Master of Arts degree in Digital Design and Innovation.
Her final year project is an immersive room where visitors can experience some sights and sounds from the city of Lagos in Nigeria. The project uses interactive video, audio and projection mapping – where video projectors are used to beam moving images and light onto surfaces like walls and floors.
“The idea is to introduce people to the rich life and culture of Lagos, where I’m from,” Eguvwe explains. “I carefully selected iconic buildings, places and cultures unique to Lagos to be featured in the space.
“These include the city’s iconic yellow and black buses and buildings like the National Theatre in Lagos. This was built in 1977 during Nigeria’s military regime to celebrate African arts and culture and, interestingly, is shaped like a military soldier’s cap.”
Eguvwe has a background in animation and would now like to develop her project, called Lasgidi Streets, into a “fully immersive cultural experience that can be enjoyed by people worldwide.”
Kai Parker, 24, from Glasgow in Scotland is completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Design for Textiles.
She has developed a series of textile prints based on Scottish landscapes and folklore, using different printing techniques including screen printing and digital printing.
“My collection is called ‘Cianalas,’ which is Scottish Gaelic for a sense of longing or belonging to a place,” Kai says. “I’ve used watercolour to reflect Scotland’s natural beauty.
“My designs are inspired by Scottish heritage and include quirky animals, organic shapes and joyful motifs. My animal motifs were inspired by Scottish folklore tales about creatures like Kelpies and Selkies, which take form as seals and horses in my prints. I’ve also used playful illustrations of birds, inspired by Scottish crossbills and robins. I remember learning about these sorts of folk tales in school, which evokes a sense of nostalgia.”
After graduating, Kai will be taking her work to New Designers, an annual graduate design show in London that showcases emerging design talent.
Fourth year Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design student Laurent Meharry, 24, grew up in Glasgow but has family roots in France and Italy.
His Degree Show project is a proposed community arts hub based at Perth Art Gallery in Perthshire.
Laurent says: “Designing a studio and exhibition space has always been a dream of mine and my Degree Show project is my vision for a new sustainable art hub in Perth and Kinross.
“My goal is to create a space that promotes sustainability, attracts visitors to help boost the local economy and strengthens international ties with artists. The space would showcase various disciplines including painting, sculpture and fashion. I wanted to breathe new life into the Perth Art Gallery building, which was constructed in the early 1800s.”
After graduating, Laurent is interested in pursuing a career in museum curation and exhibition design. “I would love to work with historic landmarks, revitalising their interiors in a sustainable way to bring them into the 21st century,” he says.
Other students showcasing their work at Heriot-Watt’s 2024 Degree Show include:
Reema Baagagah, 22, from Yemen, a BA Fashion student who has designed a garment called Sitara, a two-sided embroidered cape that can be worn over the head or as jacket.
Lucy Parnell, 37, from Dumfries and Galloway, a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Fashion Technology student whose Degree Show project explores how clothing can adapt and contract with us as we age.
Anam Waqar, 35, from Pakistan is a postgraduate MA Digital Design and Innovation student. Visitors to her immersive installation can use iPads to project their own work onto the floor.
The students showcasing their work are graduating from six undergraduate programmes and six postgraduate programmes at Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design.
The undergraduate degrees are Bachelor of Arts Honours degrees in Fashion; Fashion Technology; Design for Textiles; Communication Design; Interior Architecture & Design and Fashion Branding & Promotion. The postgraduate Programmes are Master of Arts in Fashion and Textile Design; Digital Design and Innovation; Fashion and Textile Design with Industry Placement and Interior Architecture and Design and Master of Science (MSc) degrees in Fashion and Textile Management and Design Management.
The show opens to the public on Saturday 1 June with a Degree Show Open Day. This includes a live fashion show and academic-led workshops, including ‘Abstract Collage Creations’ and ‘An Introduction to Embellishment through Creative Stitch’ and behind-the-scenes facilities tours.
Fashion students at the Degree Show will model some of their work in walk-through pods with interactive lighting. At Heriot-Watt’s campus in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, School of Textiles and Design students will also showcase their work.
David Cavallaro, Head of Discipline and Project Lead for the Degree Show at Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design, said: “The Degree Show is a vital part of the year, where students get to showcase all their hard work and also how they’ve evolved and learned.
“It’s an important stepping stone in their career journey, whether they’re continuing their study or going into industry. Students and staff start preparing for the show months in advance, so it’s very exciting for us to see it all preparing to launch.”
Julian Malins, Executive Dean at Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design, said: “We are consistently amazed by the talent of our students across so many different disciplines, and our 2024 Degree Show demonstrates that.
“What’s particularly remarkable about our cohort this year is their diversity, with so many countries and backgrounds represented. This says a lot about the appeal and status of our degrees – and also the commitment of our staff, who work incredibly hard throughout the year.”
Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design is regularly named as one of the best places in the UK to study fashion and attracts fashion brands, textile companies, design agencies and other industry scouts to its degree shows.
The School is a centre of excellence in design and dates back to 1883, when classes in weaving, dyeing and chemistry were introduced to train workers for the local textiles industry.
Honorary Graduates include the late British fashion icon Dame Vivienne Westwood.
The Scottish Borders is at the heart of Scotland’s luxury textile and design industry and is home to manufacturers including Barrie, one of Scotland’s oldest cashmere knitting manufacturers. It was acquired in 2012 by French luxury fashion house Chanel.
The Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design 2024 Degree Show takes place at:
Heriot-Watt University, Scottish Borders Campus
High Mill Building, Galashiels, TD1 3HE
Friday 31 May 2024, 2pm-4pm – private viewing for industry and press.
Saturday 1 June to Friday 7 June 2024, 10am-4pm – show open to the public.
To confirm your attendance at the Degree Show Open Day 2024 and to sign up for workshops on the day, please register here.
Edinburgh students encouraged to enter innovative challenge fronted by TV architect
Architect and TV presenter George Clarke has issued the final call for entries to a creative challenge which will shape the design of a £25m complex-needs facility.
Young people in Edinburgh are being invited to take part in a design brief to imagine how a new inclusive community and sustainable building project in Perth could look like.
With the deadline for entries fast approaching, designs should be submitted by 26th May, and consider how people can live sustainably and affordably while meeting individual needs and preserving the environment for future generations.
The challenge will help inform Capability Scotland’s new inclusive Bertha Park facility in Perth, which is in partnership with the Ministry of Building Innovation and Education [MOBIE] – a charity founded by George Clarke to inspire young people to get involved in housing and community design for the future.
George said: “The imagination of young people is something we would really like to harness in this project, and in future housing and community designs.
“We want to hear from a wide range of young people, from primary pupils right through to postgraduate students. Entries are open to schools, colleges, and universities across Scotland, as well as those who wish to work independently.
“It is hoped the project will also inspire and uncover the next generation of architectural talent while sharing innovative solutions on how the new site can champion inclusive living and learning.”
The challenge is looking for young people to come up with ways to define what makes a community. For some that might be about being good neighbours, enjoying shared spaces, or creating new and positive opportunities.
The new site will consist of 60 self-contained studio flats for individuals with complex needs. A new primary school, followed by high quality, energy-efficient housing. These will be built on the site adjacent to the existing Bertha Park High School.
Sponsorship from Springfield Properties and Sigma Capital Group has been received for the challenge prizes which include a £250 technology voucher for the winning entry from each category as well as a trophy specially design and produced by Capability Scotland service users at its studio day centre in Perth.
Brian Logan, CEO of Capability Scotland, the organisation behind the new facility named ‘Our Inclusive Community Project’, said: “We have been supporting individuals living with complex needs in the area for decades and the new site will enhance and expand this current support.
“Young people are vital to the future of housing and we want to maximise their involvement in helping shape this major project – especially as we’re committed to making it an exemplar service from the offset.
“With unfettered imaginations, we’re looking forward to hearing the amazing ideas from young Scots.”
Bertha Park High School and two Perth primary schools, as well as Capability Scotland’s two specialist schools and college – Corseford College and Corseford School in Renfrewshire and Stanmore House School in Lanark – have already signed up to participate in the creative challenge.
The challenge is being partnered by Perth and Kinross Council and Scottish Water, alongside Capability Scotland and MOBIE.
MOBIE was founded in 2017 by architect and television presenter George Clarke to inspire young people to revolutionise the way we think about the places in which we live. He aims to give younger generations a way to define how they want to live now and in the future.
Capability Scotland is a charity delivering care, support, and education for disabled children and adults across Scotland. It has a range of facilities and services across the country which helps its customers achieve the best outcomes in their lives, no matter their needs.
MOBIE has hosted webinars to help inspire students create concepts boards and give tips on how to finalise presentation for submissions to competitions which can be found here:
Students from Edinburgh College of Art have unveiled a stunning new collection of luxury, sustainable festive decorations at InterContinental Edinburgh The George today.
The decorations were the result of a partnership between the city-centre hotel and BA (Hons) Textiles students who immersed themselves in the history of Edinburgh, the New Town, and the Georgian era when the hotel was built, to inspire their decorations that will now adorn the magnificent Christmas tree in the hotel’s luxurious lobby.
Following a visit to the hotel in October, the students drew from different aspects of the hotel décor and furnishings, emboldening their creations.
Inspired by the tales of literary greats, who were once guests in the Georgian townhouse, one student beautifully crafted a portrait of Robert Burns, fashioned from tweed and tartan it features intricate beadwork and hand embroidery.
Scottish fine cashmere, wool and accessories luxury brand, Johnstons of Elgin, provided off-cuts for the partnership, which spotlighted the best young UK design talent and emphasised the hotel’s commitment to sustainability.
Student, Anna Reid, said: “It was fascinating to work on a live brief and get the opportunity to learn about the Georgian era.
“My final design took inspiration from the hotel’s mirrors, windows and archways, to create patterns with delicate embellishments on the gorgeous Scottish fabrics.”
Stephanie Lee, Director of Sales at InterContinental Edinburgh The George, added:“We’re thrilled the students found this such a valuable experience and the result is really impressive.
“We’re very proud of our Georgian heritage and it was wonderful to be able to share this with the next bright young minds and see their interpretations come to life in this collection which is now a centre point for our guests to enjoy this winter.”
The National Museum of Scotland is calling for memories of famous artist and designer Bernat Klein ahead of a major exhibition of his work opening next month. Klein (1922 – 2014) was born in Yugoslavia (now Serbia) but settled in the Scottish Borders where he lived and worked for over 40 years.
Drawing inspiration from the landscape around Galashiels and collaborating closely with skilled Scottish manufacturers, Scotland and its textile industry were central to his success.
Curators hope to capture the stories of those who knew, worked with or admired Klein in his adopted homeland. From visiting his shops or producing fabrics, to wearing his spectacular pieces or completing a Klein knitting pattern, anyone who would like to share their story is encouraged to get in touch by email at info@nms.ac.uk with their memories and pictures.
In the centenary year of his birth, Bernat Klein: Design in Colour (5 Nov 2022 – 23 April 2023) will explore the life and varied career of one of the 20th century’s leading forces in Modernist design.
He is renowned for innovative couture textiles created for the likes of Chanel, Dior and Balmain, and his work was adored by royalty and fashion editors alike. He also produced fabrics for interiors, designed ready-to-wear collections and worked as a colour consultant and industrial designer.
Lisa Mason, Assistant Curator of Modern & Contemporary Design at National Museums Scotland said: “Bernat Klein’s philosophy influenced fashion, fine art, interior design, architecture and colour theory and continues to inspire artists and designers today.
“He chose Scotland to build not just his home, but his business, and we’d love to hear more from anyone who remembers his time here.”
Personal accounts will be collated by National Museums Scotland and may be shared on the Museums’ digital channels and social media accounts.
Bernat Klein: Design in Colour 5 November 2022 to 23 April 2023 National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh Admission: Free
The pub is often a destination of choice for putting the world to rights, but could it beused to get people talking about subjects that are still viewed as taboo? Graphic Design student Tegan Bryce’s final year project aims to do just that.
Tegan has designed a bar set-up – including bar top, beer pulls, beer mats and stools – that aims to raise awareness and get men talking about what are traditionally viewed as female-only issues.
Tegan’s bar is heavily led by her use of typography which asks important questions around subjects such as postpartum depression and infertility worries for males.
Studies show that 1 in 10 dads are affected by postpartum depression and anxiety and Tegan was determined to shine a spotlight on this with her exhibition which is now on display as part of Edinburgh Napier’s In Full Bloom Degree Show at its Merchiston campus.
Tegan, 21 years-old from Livingston, works as a stylist and tailor for Levi Strass & Co and has used her embroidery skills throughout the bar set-up.
Asking questions such as “Can men experience hormonal changes due to childbirth?” and “Can men suffer from post-partum depression?”, Tegan has used embroidery to score out key words to highlight the lack of conversation surrounding these issues.
Her bar also incorporates a laser-cut bar top, specifically designed for the degree show, which features more phrases and questions on these topics as well as upcycled bar stools, books, beer mats and vinyl that all come together to raise awareness of these topics and to encourage people to begin to openly talk about them.
For Tegan, her final year project has been an educational journey but one that she feels is incredibly important in helping focus on the lack of conversations around these subjects.
Tegan said: “My work across my fourth year at University has been focused on using design to tackle conversations around taboo subjects, and through reading research and conducting my own, I kept going back to certain subjects such as postpartum depression and infertility.
“We hear lots about how they affect females – and quite rightly so – but we don’t hear as much about how they affect males when they happen. Why is that?
“I think good strides have been taken to increase conversations around subjects such as periods and the menopause but there are still subjects that are viewed as “taboo” and I wanted to shine a spotlight on these.
“The bar set-up was a lot of work. I’ve put my heart and soul into it, utilising my graphic design skills and my embroidery skills to hopefully create something that does get people – specifically males – talking more about sensitive subjects.
“If it helps just one people speak out, ask for help and understand better what a friend or family member has been going through, then it has been totally worth it.”
Tegan’s project, alongside hundreds of others, is currently on display at In Full Bloom, Edinburgh Napier’s Degree Show which runs from 26 May to 2 June at the University’s Merchiston campus.
More information on the degree show can be found here.
6 May 2022 to 5 March 2023– National Museum of Scotland
A new artwork by ground-breaking Japanese artist Hitomi Hosono will be unveiled in a display at the National Museum of Scotland.
Japanese Contemporary Design (6 May 2022 – 5 March 2023), will showcase developments in art, craft and design in Japan over the past 50 years. Hosono’s spectacular A Large Pine Tree Pool has recently been acquired for the National Collection and will be shown for the first time.
From striking statement jewellery to glass and porcelain sculptures, this free display will explore the rich and varied practice of Japanese contemporary designers over five decades.
Cultural events associated with the 1964 Tokyo Olympics prompted Japanese makers to take notice of international design. The artists represented in the display reflect the developments of the following 50 years, combining traditional artisanship and themes with new materials, inspiration and techniques.
A more diverse range of makers has also emerged in Japan in recent years. Ceramicist Hitomi Hosono is one of the highly skilled female artists breaking into historically male-dominated disciplines.
This follows a move away from the traditional apprenticeship-based system and the long-established custom of the eldest son taking over from his father. Japanese Contemporary Design will include an equal number of works by female and male makers, shining a light on some remarkable artisans who have previously been overlooked.
Dr Louise Boyd, Curator of the Japanese and Ainu collections at National Museums Scotland, said: “This display will highlight the extraordinary skill and diversity of contemporary Japanese makers.
“The objects exhibited represent recent developments in the art world, both in Japan and internationally. I am particularly delighted to include Hitomi Hosono’s remarkable A Large Pine Tree Pool, on display for the public to enjoy for the very first time.”
Further highlights include Junko Mori’s intricate New Pinecone Silver Organism. Nature is often seen as a fundamental element of traditional Japanese culture, but Mori incorporates new methods and forms influenced by studying and working in the UK.
Striking examples of contemporary jewellery designs will also be showcased. Adapting metalworking and engraving techniques traditionally used in the making of Japanese sword fittings, jeweller Suō Emiko has created colourful graphic pieces to adorn the body.
