Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Louis Vuitton are just a few of the top designers whose work will feature in the exhibition ‘Fabric to Fashion: Scottish Textiles and International Style’ at the Museum of Scotland which demonstrates how the world’s leading designers draw on Scottish textiles to create cutting-edge catwalk designs.

The exhibition, which is on from 7 October until February 2006 , builds on the success of Cloth to the Catwalk, an exhibition held at Shambellie House Museum of Costume last year, by doubling the number of designer items on show. New exhibits include a pair of NIKE trainers made of Harris Tweed,  a man’s tartan jacket and bondage trousers from Vivienne Westwood’s Anglomania collection and a Jean Paul Gaultier tartan jacket and skirt, designed using digital photography.

The popularity of tartan, tweed and knitwear will be demonstrated through a display of designer clothing including a dress by Elizabeth Emanuel in the official Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Tartan, a Louis Vuitton suit in an estate tweed by Johnstons and a pink cashmere top designed by Scott Henshall and worn by Jodie Kidd.

The display will show the creativity and success of Scottish textile firms such as Lochcarron of Scotland (Galashiels), who are lending the Elizabeth Emanuel dress, and The Lovat Mill (Hawick), who created the cloth for two items by Belgian designers – a suit donated by Dries van Noten and a coat (complete with ears and a tail) by Bernhard Willhelm.   Both firms can boast an impressive client list – Lochcarron fabric has been worn by Sir Sean Connery and Ewan McGregor, while cloth created by The Lovat Mill has graced the figures of Madonna and Prince Charles.

Curator Fiona Anderson says “Textiles such as tartan are internationally recognised symbols of Scottish identity, and this exhibition shows that they are not just a relic of the past but a vibrant and dynamic part of 21st century Scottish culture.”

‘Fabric to Fashion: Scottish Textiles and International Style’ is on in the new special exhibition gallery at the Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh from 7 October 2005 to February 2006.  Opening hours Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Tuesday 10am to 8pm and Sunday from 12 noon to 5pm. Admission is free.

There are also two accompanying events – ‘Hats Off to Fashion!’ with designer and milliner Felicity Faichney and ‘Fabric to Fashion – Curator’s Tour’ with Fiona Anderson.  More details in our events listing.