These are heavily damaged kilt lengths of cloth woven at McNaughtons Group in Perth, where bi-monthly sales are held of seconds, samples and end-of-role fabrics. The group are advocates for Remake Scotland, a social enterprise that supports the reuse of resources for community benefit, akin to my own circular economy initiative IV36.
These kilts were created to show how design can mitigate damage, using the same traditional handstitched kiltmaking skills and methods, but supplementing the cloth with a deadstock trim from sustainable sewing supplier The New Craft House.
The pulls and industrial stains that cover the full length of the Cameron Red Dress tartan are now imperceptible, but the resulting style and swing created from the depth of fringes and pleats is an example of the wonders that can come from ‘waste’ now on show in the sustainability section of the TARTAN exhibition at the V&A Dundee. These kilts have been named to reflect the moment the idea came to mind— whilst watching Strictly Come Dancing!
