The Savile Row tailor who helped inspire the Kingsman film trilogy has set a fabric challenge for school children in the Scottish Borders.
It is part of an industrial project at Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles and Design in Galashiels.
Huntsman, the London bespoke tailors, have teamed up with Huddersfield Fine Worsteds (HFW) to take on the challenge.
The students were asked to design a new fabric for men’s sports jackets.
Huntsman Creative Director Campbell Carey and HFW Managing Director Iain Milligan were both educated in Galashiels at the Scottish College of Textiles – the forerunner of the Heriot-Watt establishment.
Leah Martin, 22, from County Louth, Ireland, is one of the BA (Hons) Design for Textiles students taking part in the project.
“I’ve never designed for menswear before, so this is a really exciting opportunity to really evolve and learn new skills,” she said.
“The fact that we use British yarns and that the fabric is woven and cut in the UK is really amazing.
“It’s just a great opportunity to see how the industry works and it’s also very positive from a sustainability perspective.”
She said she has always been interested in art and design and was introduced to woven textiles and the opportunities to work in the industry during a portfolio course.
“I’m fascinated by how you can make your designs and put them into practice – and suddenly it becomes a woven design,” she said.
Assistant professor Fiona Pankhurst said it was great for the students to be able to work with people with such “a great deal of experience in the industry”.
“The challenge for our students is to design something different,” she said.
“They have to research the market area and think about the client they’re designing for.”
The winning sport jacket fabric design will be woven by HFW and used by Huntsman as a special design in part of their collection.
Mr Carey said: “Huntsman is passionate about supporting the next generation of talent.
“This project will give students a comprehensive insight into the world of textiles and fashion in the luxury market, from creation to tangible and commercial product.”
Mr Milligan said HFW hopes to give students a better understanding of the textile industry.
“They can get involved in the fabric production with me and then see their design in the Huntsman window,” he said.
“In fabric design I look for a combination of ingenuity, excitement and something fresh.”
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