Graduate Fashion Weeks have come a long way in the last decade. Students from schools and colleges throughout the land fret as their talent and graft culminates in  collections that will be judged by their tutors, peers and perhaps most frightening of all, the public.

Large retailers now invest huge money in putting on shows in London but there is talent throughout the land. 

The setting for the Heriot Watt school of textile design - Abbotsford House - was impressive  and the students’ creations were fitting of such an arena and occasion.  Harris Tweed Hebrides’ (HTH) relationship with The Borders’ campus continues to bear educational fruit both for the Shawbost Mill staff and the students and staff in Gala. The Harris Tweed Authority, who were kind enough to supply fabric for use in several student projects, were warmly thanked too.

HTH assistant pattern designer Sahrish Shafiq commented that the ‘the use of traditional weaves in contemporary design showed precision and clarity’;  all elements that the recently deceased Bernat Klein would have appreciated.

 Meanwhile in London, Italian student Arianna Mele produced a funky, functional yet feminine collection which was picked by Italian Vogue and caught the eye of several top designers including Richard Nicoll.

The students of today are the decision makers of tomorrow.  Harris Tweed Hebrides wishes you the very best of luck in your future careers.