Tag: fashion

Exhibition of Sustainable Tartan Fashion opens 23rd April

Vengefully Changed Allegiance by Alison Harm

Exhibition runs from  23rd  to 30th April 2024

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh EH1 1SR

Vengefully Changed Allegiance is a solo exhibition of work by fashion designer Alison Harm, the founder of Edinburgh’s own Psychomoda clothing brand. Using industry scraps, vintage cloth and broken jewellery, Alison mixes different tartan patterns to create clothing items that challenge our opinions on tradition, and on what we should wear.

Curated specifically for the Pomegranates festival of international traditional dance (25-30 April), this exhibition of sustainable fashion also explores the living heritage of the tartan cloth still used by Highland dancers and for kilts.

By tradition, tartans are chosen according to a person’s clan however, Alison’s garments mix different tartan patterns together to create contemporary designs that question our need to safeguard our intangible cultural heritage, at the expense of innovation and fashion.

Fashion Designer Alison Harm said: “Fashion is cyclic, nothing is new. Just as today we might wear clothes of a bygone era to show our allegiance to a culture from the past, the Victorians did the same.

“A political Jacobite revivalist movement swept the UK in 1886, bringing a renewed interest in all things Scottish into the arts and fashion. Tartan cloth became a significant part of that movement. 

“Almost a hundred years later, the youth of the UK, against a background of political and cultural dissent, again chose tartan as part of their tribal uniform, with a naive style consisting of a home-made, make-do-and-mend ethos.

“An anti-capitalist statement by the wearer. The wheel has turned again and sustainability is now the focus of the fashion industry. People want to express their dislike of the fast fashion behemoth which is ruining our planet.

“I have returned to tartan cloth to express  this symbolism. By using industry scraps and remnants along with found objects, in the punk tradition, and irreverently mixing tartan patterns together to challenge the viewer’s perception of who can wear what, and to where – therefore suggesting they can step outside of societal expectations.”

Vengefully Changed Allegiance is part of Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland and TRACS programme of events showcasing Scotland’s traditional arts and cultural heritage. TRACS has been recently appointed as an advisor to UNESCO on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Scotland and this exhibition showcases ICH in practice through highlighting the sustainability in the fashion industry while exploring the role of tartan in Scottish trad dance.

Admission to the exhibition is free, and includes daily drop-in, on-demand artist and curator-led tours. 

Established in 2022, Pomegranates is Scotland’s springtime festival of Scottish and international traditional dance curated by the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland and produced in partnership with TRACS, Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh City Libraries, Dance Base and the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

The festival celebrates Scottish traditional dance and traditional dance practised by cultural migrant communities across Scotland.

It provides a platform to showcase new dance commissions, exhibitions and residencies accompanied by live music, poetry, and art; and invites audiences to participate in ceilidhs, workshops (both in person and live streamed), tours, and talks about traditional dance from Scotland and around the world.

For tickets and more information visit: 

https://linktr.ee/pomegranatesfest, https://www.tdfs.org/pomegranatesfest2024/

Gucci store coming to Multrees Walk

The Italian luxury retailer Gucci will be opening its first standalone store outside of London in Edinburgh, later this year.

Located on the luxury stylish shopping destination of Multrees Walk, the Gucci store will occupy an impressive corner location – formerly Hugo BOSS and Caffé Nero – and will span over 4.700 square metres of retail space.

For further information on Multrees Walk retailers, please visit:

www.multreeswalk.co.uk/whats-happening/

Rachel Scott Couture marks 20 year anniversary with launch of new designer eveningwear boutique

Fashion fans set to flock to the official open weekend to shop new collections from Vivienne Westwood, Temperley London and Suzanne Neville

Good news for fashion fans – the award-winning Rachel Scott Couture is marking its 20th anniversary with an exciting expansion.

The new boutique will feature a carefully curated selection of eveningwear, bespoke jewellery and accessories from top designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Temperley London and Suzanne Neville, and Scottish style enthusiasts can get an exclusive first look from tomorrow – Thursday 1st February.

Located in the heart of the Scottish capital on Edinburgh’s Queensferry Street, fashion aficionados can book a private appointment at the boutique from Thursday 1st February.

Alternatively, fashionistas can drop in and browse the full collection without an appointment during the open weekend on Saturday 3rd – Sunday 4th February. Here, they can take full advantage of the launch offers which include 20% off all Rachel Scott bespoke jewellery and a £250 discount on Rachel Scott bespoke jewellery pieces with any dress purchase. 

The new premises will showcase a range of colourful cocktails dresses, beautiful black tie gowns and the finest couture formalwear, as well as handcrafted headwear and jewellery for any occasion.

Designer names include Vivienne Westwood whose exclusive made-to-order collection will be available for the very first time in Scotland at Rachel Scott Couture.

What’s more, the new made-to-order eveningwear collection from celebrity favourite Suzanne Neville will also be available for the first time in Scotland at Rachel Scott Couture.

Speaking ahead of the launch, boutique owner Rachel Snedden explains the benefits of buying made-to-order pieces; “Fit is such a huge issue for many people when buying ‘off-the-rack’ clothing, and even more so when shopping online.

“Now imagine you can have something made to your exact measurements and specifications, for example – you don’t like the neckline, the colour, or you don’t want to have to worry about a bra – we can change it and have it made the way you really want it!”

As well as offering this made-to-order service, the new Rachel Scott Couture boutique will also provide the same exceptional level of expertise and personal attention that has resulted in the couture experts winning an impressive collection of accolades and awards throughout their 20 years in business.

St James Quarter reveals full line up for this weekend’s Style Event

St James Quarter has revealed the full line up of unmissable fashion and beauty events for this weekend’s ‘Edinburgh Style’, which is taking place from today, Friday 29th September, and running until Sunday, 1st October.

Returning to the capital’s lifestyle district for 2023, the weekend-long event will feature styling events with leading brands including Levi’s, IOLLA and Grazia’s very own fashion team who will be sharing their season styling tips on the Style Stage located on Level 3.

Edinburgh Style will also play host to exclusive talks and masterclasses, with Jo Tutchener-Sharp, founder of the newly opened Scamp & Dude, who is set to talk about the brand’s purpose-led approach, including its ongoing charity campaigns and events.

Beauty aficionados can learn how to get the perfect runway look straight from the experts at H Beauty’s Carnival’s, two days of iconic beauty masterclasses with brands including Pat McGrath, Kylie Cosmetics and Charlotte Tilbury in the Level 1 workshop space from Saturday, 30th September to Sunday 1st October.

The walkways of the Galleria will be transformed into a high fashion runway, providing the backdrop to two iconic fashion shows, where guests will have an exclusive preview of the newest looks fresh off the rails from retailers including John Lewis, H&M, & Other Stories and BOSS, as well as Harvey Nichols on Multrees Walk.

The excitement continues with John Lewis hosting fashion and beauty masterclasses across the weekend as part of its MYJL Members’ Week in collaboration with top influencers Nadine Baggott, Clarissa Rae and Nicole Ocran.

And it doesn’t end there, Michael Kors, Strathberry and LK Bennet on Multrees Walk will join a host of retailers at St James Quarter providing exciting shopping experiences from live music to personalisation and prosecco. So what are you waiting for….

Don’t forget to download the St James Quarter app to stay up to date with all things Style and of course book a space in our incredibly stylish car park.

Susan Hewlett, Brand and Marketing Director at St James Quarter, said: “Edinburgh Style is returning to St James Quarter this weekend and it’s set to be the most fabulously stylish event yet.

“With a packed schedule of fashion shows and workshops, beauty masterclasses and style talks from leading retailers and of course a unique opportunity to experience firsthand what it’s like to work on an international style bible with the team from Grazia, it’s one not to miss!”

For more information on the free events that will be taking place across the weekend please visit the St James Quarter app here, or alternatively at: 

https://stjamesquarter.com/event/edinburgh-style-2023

•     St James Quarter Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/stjamesquarter/

•     St James Quarter Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/StJamesQuarter/

‘Fashion Brand with a purpose’ Scamp & Dude celebrates opening weekend at St James Quarter

Scamp & Dude celebrated its official opening in Edinburgh at the weekend with a VIP event, live entertainment, hosted by brand founder and CEO Jo Tutchener-Sharp who formally cut the ribbon and welcomed excited shoppers through the doors on Saturday 9th September. 

Adding a pop of neon to the capital’s lifestyle district, St James Quarter, this is Scamp & Dude’s first store to open in Scotland and comes after a year of expansive growth for the brand, which will also see the opening of a store in Battersea Power Station, London this weekend. 

On Friday 8th September Scamp & Dude hosted a vibrant launch event with more than 180 of the city’s key influencers,media and over 100 members of the brand’s supportive Scottish community. Guests were treated to a limited-edition special Edinburgh-opening-only tote bag, thoughtfully designed, and packed with amazing Scamp & Dude and beauty must-haves. 

Engaging with the brand’s tight-knit community, the event was attended by more than 100 ‘Duders’. Dressed in head-to-toe Scamp & Dude attire, and full of anticipation and excitement, the ‘Duders’ were seen first in line creating the party atmosphere. Once inside, guests had the opportunity to explore the new store, try on new styles and press the exclusive interactive Superpower Button, to receive their very own boost of Scamp & Duder Superpowers.  

Exclusively unveiled at the launch was the Scamp & Dude ‘Bolt Room’, An exclusive shopping experience in the store, where customers can book to have
use of a private fitting room for a group of friends to try on the brand’s latest styles, all whilst relaxing with a glass of bubbly and a Scamp & Dude stylist on hand for advice. 

The official public launch of the vibrant new store at St James Quarter began on Saturday, September 9th, with eager shoppers beginning to gather as early as 7:45am in anticipation of this exciting addition to the Quarter.

The first 50 shoppers were gifted with a complimentary Scamp & Dude gift. Shoppers were entertained over the launch weekend with performances from a brass band that filled the Galleria with feel good tunes.  

The newly opened store proudly presents Scamp & Dude’s collection of women’s and children’s clothing, alongside their charitable product offerings. Situated in a location that resonates with the brand’s dedicated and swiftly expanding Scottish following, referred to as ‘Duders,’ it serves as the perfect hub for this community. 

‘Edinburgh Style’ returns to St James Quarter

‘Edinburgh Style’ is back at St James Quarter this September for its third season, bringing showstopping fashion to Edinburgh’s lifestyle district in partnership with Grazia magazine.  

From Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st October, St James Quarter will play host to an array of must-attend events, curated for the fashion lovers and beauty aficionados of Edinburgh. 

Across the stylish long weekend, guests can attend an exciting lineup of free fashion talks, styling workshops, and beauty masterclasses featuring world renowned brands. For those prepping their wardrobe for Autumn / Winter, the fashion team at Grazia will be hosting a series of intimate styling sessions, sharing their fashion and accessory must-haves for the season ahead. 

And that’s not all, St James Quarter will be hosting two iconic catwalk shows on Saturday 30th September at 4pm and 6pm on Level 3 in the Galleria.

Models will be taking to the runway, showcasing the newest looks fresh off the rails from retailers including John Lewis, H&M, & Other Stories and BOSS, as well as Harvey Nichols on Multrees Walk.

For those seeking a truly VIP experience, the closing show, which will be styled by the Grazia team also offers live entertainment. While tickets are not essential, guests can reserve their free spot via the St James Quarter app.  

Over the course of the weekend, John Lewis will be hosting its very own fashion and beauty events as part of its MYJL Members’ Week in collaboration with top influencers Nadine Baggott, Clarissa Rae and Nicole Ocran.  

Also part of the weekend schedule, H Beauty is bringing back its H Beauty Carnival, including everything from expert sessions on how to perfect the ultimate glowing look with the Charlotte Tilbury team to how to get runway ready with the experts from Pat McGrath.  

The H Beauty Carnival will also feature special appearances from the likes of social media it girl Emily Shak and celebrity makeup artist Neil Young who will be revealing their ultimate style and beauty tips. For more information and to book a free ticket, visit the H Beauty website here.  

Don’t forget to download the St James Quarter app to stay in the loop with all things Style.  

Susan Hewlett, Brand and Marketing Director at St James Quarter, said: “This year, we’re bringing some of the most trusted voices in the fashion and beauty world straight to St James Quarter with the return of Edinburgh Style.

“Over the course of the weekend, we will be hosting an array of exclusive fashion workshops, beauty masterclasses, immersive in-store experiences, and not one, but two runway presentations.  

“This is the second year we’ve partnered with Grazia, and we can’t wait to show the fashion team all that the stylish city of Edinburgh has to offer.

“We’re inviting everyone to enjoy our packed schedule of unmissable events and celebrate their own unique style. Make sure you clear your diaries!” 

For more information on the free events that will be taking place across the weekend and to secure your fashion show seats, please visit the St James Quarter app here, or alternatively visit: https://stjamesquarter.com/events 

St James Quarter Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/stjamesquarter/  

St James Quarter Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/StJamesQuarter/  

Scamp & Dude opens at St James Quarter this Saturday

Scamp & Dude, the renowned British purpose-led fashion womenswear brand, has announced it will be opening its newest retail location in the lifestyle district of Edinburgh, St James Quarter, on Saturday (9th September). 

Scamp & Dude was established with a clear mission: to bring accessible fashion, joy, and vibrancy into every wardrobe, whilst using its big heart to give back to those going through difficult times. Beyond just serving as a retail outlet, the new premises also doubles up as a friendly, supportive environment to welcome new and existing consumers which celebrates the power of community. 

The opening of the new 2,939 sqft store in Edinburgh comes after a year of expansive growth for the brand, which will also see the opening of a store in Battersea Power Station, London. Scamp & Dude’s only store in Scotland will be situated on Level 3 in St James Quarter, which is home to some of the best and most exciting brands the city has to offer. 

To kick off the Edinburgh store’s grand opening this weekend, Scamp & Dude will be hosting immersive and fun activities and will be giving away an Edinburgh-exclusive Scamp & Dude tote bag to all shoppers that spend £100* or more over launch weekend. The tote bag has been designed in a new floral leopard print and cannot be purchased in other stores or online. (*one per customer, whilst stocks last) 

The new store will showcase Scamp & Dude’s stylish collection of womenswear, kids wear as well as charitable products and will be a fitting location for the brand’s loyal and rapidly growing community in Scotland, who known as the ‘Duders’.

The retail space will also serve as a venue for the brands ongoing charity campaigns and events, which Scamp & Dude are renowned for and will continue to run at the new St James Quarter store.

This includes the #SuperScarfMission which for every scarf sold, another is donated to a woman starting chemotherapy. To date, over 23,000 have been donated via hospital partners with a mission to reach 63,000 by next year (the approx. number of women who start chemotherapy per year).

In addition, the new Scamp & Dude store will also be home to an interactive Superpower Button, a first for the brand, which will give shoppers the chance to be assigned their very own superpower at the touch of a button. 

Scamp & Dude founder and CEO, Jo Tutchener-Sharp, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing Scamp & Dude to Edinburgh as our first Scottish location as we feel there is already a real flavour for the brand here in Scotland.  

“Being located in St James Quarter alongside so many other great brands is an honour, and we cannot wait to officially launch on the 8th of September. Our loyal community of ‘Duders’ has grown rapidly, with many located here in Scotland.

“We are looking forward to bringing the store to where our community has expanded to and providing a physical space for customers to experience the Scamp & Dude magic in person.” 

From kitchen table to top table …

LS Productions – a global production company that started life on a kitchen table by a former air stewardess – is officially recognised as one of the UK’s fastest growing private companies

  • Set up in Edinburgh by Marie Owen – with 3 kids under the age of 5 – the company has gone from strength to strength being named on two prestigious lists of fastest growing UK private companies
  • LS Productions was Grammy-nominated for its work on its second Harry Styles music video (‘Adore You’) and works with high profile celebrities including Zendaya, Ed Sheeran and Cristiano Ronaldo
  • With ambition to become a £40 million turnover business in the next two years, the company provides production services to clients for commercials, fashion, sport, music videos and film and TV projects working across the globe.

LS Productions – whose headquarters are in Leith – is celebrating appearances on The Sunday Times 100 and FEBE Growth 100 lists – which recognise the UK’s fastest growing private companies.

Both lists celebrate British business at its best – highlighting founders that are driving their companies to deliver significant sales, revenue and profit, against a backdrop of unprecedented economic challenges.

With their headquarters in Edinburgh, LS Productions are the UK’s largest production service company with additional offices in London and Manchester.

LS’s recent growth is down in part to the expansion of their services into the international film & TV sectors, taking on global TV and film production service projects over the last 18 months, with recent projects including  Ghosted (Skydance / Apple TV),episodes of the Bachelor (NZK Productions / Warner Bros Entertainment / ABC) and a Kind of Spark (CBBC / BYUtv America).

As part of this growth they have also added a warm water production and location facility in Malta to further bolster their international offering.

In conjunction with this expansion, the LS growth can also be directly attributed to a commitment to invest in and recruit talent in the LS’s core production specialisms, including commercials, fashion, music and sport.

Mimi Webb, Aviemore, Scotland, 5th April 2023

The diversification of these business streams was a deliberate move to weather the storm faced by the production industry in a post Covid landscape.

Across this period LS has worked on a succession of high profile service production projects ranging from Ed Sheeran’s latest album Subtract (Freenjoy / Directed by Mia Barnes), Harry Styles ‘Adore You (Freenjoy / Directed by Dave Meyers), Valentino’s Pink Dreams starring Zendaya (Marcell Rev / Michael Bailey Gates) and ‘You’re Up’ featuring Cristiano Ronaldo for Nike (Wieden & Kennedy/ Directed by Megaforce).

Not only this but Covid also provided cause for reflection about where the business saw itself creatively in the long term and how they could look to continue to stay true to their values of being ‘creative at heart’ which drove further diversification with the arrival of an original content arm in the form of LS Films.

Thanks to this successful business strategy, LS has seen a two year growth of 273% and boasts sales of £20 million.

Speaking about the recognition, CEO and Founder Marie Owen – who has lived in Edinburgh her whole life, said: “I’m beyond thrilled to see LS Productions name appear on such prestigious lists, in fact I can’t quite believe it!

“If you could have told me that we’d be appearing on lists like these when I started the business back in 2006 from my kitchen table I’d probably have laughed and said ‘are you joking’! I

“t’s such a fantastic achievement and so rewarding to see all the incredible hard work and dedication that myself and the team have put in to get recognised.

“Both in terms of growing a world-class global production company, but also a business that people genuinely love working for that is firmly rooted in the values of kindness, hard work and learning.”

Marie continued: “”Post Covid we had to completely re-evaluate where we wanted to go – not just professionally but personally. So we went, quite literally back to our roots – which meant investing heavily in specialised expertise to develop focused business streams; Fashion, Sport, Commercial, Music Videos, Film & TV Service and an original content division called LS Films.

“This robust diversification gives LS a solid foundation in an industry that is notorious for huge highs and steep lows because we’re not overly dependent on one particular stream and it also allows us to explore our creative passion with LS Films.”

The full 100 rankings can be viewed:

www.febe.com

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/sunday-times-100-fast-growth