Dressed to Kilt! Rising Star Hayley Scanlon, Amy Grant, Gary Allen, Kix Brooks, and Chris Noth “Mr Big” headline the show!.

Not long ago, Scotsmen were forbidden to show their “colors”.  Tartans were outlawed, luckenbooths proganda, and the Scots, hate to say it, were considered second class citizens.  Well the dark ages are over and color is alive.  Tartan Week is in full swing.  New York City took a double take as the Dressed to Kilt fashion show revved up the runway with the best Scotland has to offer.  

Who knew the Country Chic Style and the Country Music Scene were influenced by the Mother Land of Whiskey and Wool, Scotland.   But it does not take sitting through another grade school history lesson to remember it was the outcast and hillbillies (Scots and Scots Irish) of Appalachia who are guilty for the trend right fashion.    

Much like the Irish and beer on St. Patty’s Day, Scotland has been seen as a one trick pony with the Kilt or whiskey as a claim to fame.  Consider the stereotype over as country music legends Amy Grant, Kellie Pickler, Kix Brooks, and Gary Allen took the stage to show the Country Chic lifestyle is second to none.    

Harris Tweed burned up the runway with new twist on staple fibers.  No longer just a scratchy heavy sport coat, Harris Tweed is now a resource for women’s suits, dresses, and handbags.  If you still need the sport coat as a basic staple, check out Marcus Schenkenberg.   The Scots have learned, sex sells.

Meanwhile, The Scots are influen

cing fashion runways in Europe and North America.  Overcoming another stereotype with the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Holly Fulton, Christopher Kane, and Jonathan Saunders.   Luxury designers from Scotland are the greatest resource which can renew itself every season.   

From the Hippie Years to the new age of social media, Westwood took the runway proving once again, we are Too Fast to Live and Too Young to Die.  A breathtaking collection of sophisticated fabrics and prints for the contemporary fashionista.   

As new twist to this year’s show was include Scotland’s emerging designers.  A fresh new talent, Hayley Scanlon joins her peers as new face of Scotland with designs which are equally inspiring.  In a fashion world that has become so “copy cat”, it is refreshing to see new talent bring a vision for the future of contemporary design.

Hayley is a designer who understands print design, fabric construction, garment construction, while virtually creating a new lifestyle in fashion.  Hayley’s determination and soul go into every garment creating something visionary.  Scanlon is the next generation of the fashion business.  If you do not know who Hayley is today, you better.

The Dressed to Kilt was a great tribute to erasing all the stereotypes but one.  When Keifer Sutherland and Chris Noth come on stage you knew they were up to something with the look on the face.  After the game changing design performance, one would cringe to think what would happen next with these gentlemen in Kilt’s.   But I have to say, it did make one laugh to see Chris Noth’s undercarriage.   

So while sometimes seen as a little rough around the edges, Scotland showcased the countries best resources, its people and what Scotland brings to the world of fashion.