Home to the most NHS healthcare graduates in Scotland, Glasgow Caledonian University is known for pushing both practical skills and creativity. The university has a great reputation for offering specialist degrees such as Fashion Marketing and Business Management, which focus largely on employability post-study. It was due to these attributes that we were asked by the university to take part in one of their live industry projects there was no question that this would be something we would be thrilled to be involved in.
The University’s live industry projects give students the unique opportunity to work with companies in their field of study to gain practical experience. Taking on our live project this year were the Second Year Fashion Design with Business students, forming part of their Fashion Concepts module. The students were tasked with creating a streetwear collection incorporating our exclusive Mist tartans. Taking inspiration from the most iconic streetwear brands and a visual artist that they admire, the budding designers had to come up with 50 initial designs using their research. Here, at MacGregor and MacDuff, we are always looking for fresh ways to approach highlandwear, so we couldn't wait to see our ever-popular Mist tartans completely reimagined.
Our Director and Head of Marketing were invited to the university half way through the project to see them present their initial concepts. They were both so impressed by the creativity and how enthusiastic the students were about the project. The designers took inspiration from a wide variety of sources, from the kooky visuals of Wes Anderson movies to the nature in Glasgow’s Botanical Gardens. The results were a plethora of designs, each different from the next and showcased the tartan in ways that we have never seen before! The pops of tartan in hoodies, cargo pants and more, showing just how seamlessly our Mists can be incorporated into our daily wardrobes, whilst still being fashion-forward. One student even presented their own contemporary take on the kilt, experimenting with asymmetrical pleating and proportions. The images in this blog are a sneak peak from two of the students projects, Katie Cochrane and Erin Wood.
Having completed their initial research and designs, the students will have to choose their best idea and make it into a reality. The winning designer will have their work displayed in the main window of our flagship store on Bath Street. The student will work with our Visual Merchandising Team to create a unique arrangement using their outfit as the centrepiece and they will also be credited with a plaque in the display. Having been so impressed with the students initial designs and ideas, we can’t wait to see the final results. If you’re in Glasgow’s city centre in the coming months, keep an eye out for this exciting collaboration.
If these designers of the future have got you feeling creative, our Tartan Design Service can make your own tartan design come to life. To find out more about this service, get in touch with our team at tartandesign@macgregorandmacduff.co.uk.