WATCH: Tartan show featuring Ross-shire designer prompts comment from famous faces

FAMOUS faces have their say on one of Scotland’s most iconic looks now being championed by a trailblazing Black Isle designer who features in the show.

Tartan, showing at the V&A Dundee, offers a thrilling journey through over 300 mesmerizing objects showcasing its timeless appeal and rebellious spirit across fashion, architecture, art and design.

It closes this Sunday (January 14) after a run that started last April and showcases tartan worn by Bonnie Prince Charlie, a Scottish soldier’s unwashed kilt from the trenches of WWI, and the Bay City Rollers trousers handmade by a lifelong fan.

Also featured is Siobhan Mackenzie’s design for Team Scotland for The Commonwealth Games. The kilt on display was that designed for multiple gold medal winning runner, Eilish McColgan.

Figures ranging from Hollywood actor Alan Cumming to comedy legend offer their contrasting views of what it means to them.

From the high fashion of Westwood, McQueen, Chanel and Dior to tartan clad heroes such as Jackie Stewart and Doddie Weir, it also features Sir Billy Connolly’s New York City Tartan Day Parade kilt and the MacBean tartan that rocketed to the moon.

The exhibition dovetailed with another show in which the former Fortrose woman was featured, throwing the spotlight on the Radio 1 Big Weekend hosted by Dundee last summer.

Mackenzie created a bespoke kilt for BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James and acted as an ambassador for the exhibition which closed on Sunday.

She is also an ambassador the Tartan which runs until this Sunday.

The exhibition features what is believed to be Scotland’s oldest tartan, the Glen Affric Plaid dating from 1500-1600. That is shown alongside an Xbox Official Tartan Controller involving a 2022 collaboration between Gordon Nicolson (designer), Helen McDermott (kiltmaker) and Lochcarron of Scotland (weaver).

Find out more about the exhibition here.

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