Internship at Scottish Woman Magazine 2010 and freelance thereafter

CATWALK

THECaledonianThe fifth annual Scottish Fashion Awards took place this summer recognising talented Scots for their contributions. GEMMA HAIGH and COLLEEN REID caught up with three of the winners to find out why they’ve made such an impact on the Scottish fashion industry

n a sunny Sunday evening in June, the world’s fashion glitterati stepped out in full attendance on the tartan carpet at the esteemed Scottish

Fashion Awards to celebrate all things fashion and Scottish. Held at the Glasgow Science Centre, the unique venue played host to the likes of judges Brian Duffy, President of Ralph Lauren Europe, Dolly Jones, Editor of Vogue.com, designer Amanda Wakely and guests including Paolo Nutini, Diana Vickers and Gabriella Cilmi. Hosted by MTV Europe presenter Laura Whitmore, the glitzy ceremony was followed by an exclusive Gala VIP dinner, Swarovski catwalk show and exclusive after show party, finishing off a fabulous evening perfectly.

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Hilary Alexander and Antonio Berardi

Scottish Woman Features Editor Gemma Haigh with her mother June.

Jonathan Saunders and Amanda Wakeley

Founder, Tessa Hartmann

Host, Laura Whitmore

Gabriella Cilmi Paolo Nutini and partner Teri Brogan

Model David Gandy

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After hearing about the competition through her modelling agency Stolen, the six-foot-one-inch schoolgirl from Dunfermline was shocked to even make the first stage of the competition. ‘I was so happy, I didn’t expect it at all,’ Terri says. ‘I didn’t even expect to get into the top 20.’ The fifth-year student at Woodmill High School has always had a keen interest in modelling and is very happy to finally be achieving her dream. ‘I’ve wanted to be a model since I was little,’ Terri says. ‘I always thought it looked really glamorous. In reality, it’s not actually as glamorous as I thought but it’s still really cool. My mum loves me modelling and my dad is very protective of me so he is wary but very proud of me for doing so well in the competition.’ Terri describes her shock as she won her award: ‘I just remember hearing my name then I hugged the other girls and started to shake. I couldn’t breathe and just knew I had to make a speech but didn’t know what to say. ‘I think I said “amazing” about six times, I didn’t know what else to say. I was so happy!’ The Scottish New Face award, sponsored by fashion website Boohoo.com boasts an impressive prize haul for the catwalk beauty. Terri won a modelling campaign with Boohoo.com along with £1000 to spend on the site. She also won the use of a Smart car for the year, £250 worth of Swarovski jewellery, free haircare courtesy of Toni & Guy plus Bobbi Brown make-up lessons. After scooping Scotland’s New Face 2010 and a busy schedule to look forward to, Terri’s dream career is truly off to a model start.

Terri McGlone, 16, faces a bright future after being named Scotland’s New Face.

Clothes & shoes: BOOHOO.COMJewellery: SwarovskiHair: Austin Shirley, Toni & Guy Edinburgh using Label MMake-up: Lindsey Cloughley using Bobbi BrownPhotographer: Paul ChappellsShot on location at Glasgow Airport

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Scottish Woman Features Editor Gemma Haigh with her mother June.

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Jett, 22, from Edinburgh, who has just completed her BA (Hons) degree in Fashion Design was shortlisted for the award along with three other Scottish graduates. ‘It’s amazing,’ she says. ‘The Scottish Fashion Awards have given me a great opportunity that wouldn’t have normally been available. ‘It’s really good for those who deserve it to have recognition. There’s a lot of talent coming out of Scotland and it’s hard work trying to make a name for yourself.’ The category was sponsored by top British high street brand Marks & Spencer with a prize of a one-month’s internship with their design team in London. Not only did Marks & Spencer sponsor the award, but they also set the graduates a task. To compete for the honour, the finalists had to design an evening dress suitable for the broad spectrum of the high street store’s customers. It was Jett’s classic design that caught the eye of the judges and she is delighted that her dress will soon be available to buy across the UK. The young graduate always knew she wanted to study art at high school but wasn’t quite sure what she wanted to pursue as a career. ‘I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do,’ Jett remembers. ‘After high school I studied an art foundation course at Edinburgh’s Telford College. By then I knew I wanted to design and decided to go on and do my degree.’ She describes her designs as edgy but chic whilst being very modern and wearable. Jett names Mark Fast as an influence: ‘I love his work; it’s really contemporary and wearable yet edgy too. I also like the Scottish designer Christopher Kane. ‘It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get to where they are. Holly Fulton was my tutor at college and she’s been a great inspiration

seeing how hard she’s worked and how successful she’s become.’ Jett’s placement with Marks & Spencer is set to take place before the end of the summer and they’ll be working on making her chosen evening dress fit in with the Autumn/Winter Limited Collection range. ‘This placement is my next big project,’ she says. ‘But I will keep working within the industry and see what other opportunities arise. ‘To make it you need to have the talent, a unique look and be doing something in the industry that nobody else is.’ Jett says her future aim is to gain as much experience as possible in the industry to further her career. ‘I’d like to eventually have my own label,’ she says. ‘But I’ll need a lot of experience. You need a lot of drive with a lot of hard work.’

The Scottish Graduate of the Year accolade went to Edinburgh College of Art student Jett Sweeney.

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Unexpectedly the 32-year-old originally from Edinburgh, but now living in London, had originally planned to become a vet. ‘It was a tenuous route,’ Holly remembers. ‘As I wanted to become a vet, I didn’t switch to art until later in the day.’ I went on to study at the Edinburgh College of Art and then The Royal College of Art in London.’ The young designer was surprised to be nominated again: ‘I hadn’t anticipated that but I was obviously delighted to win again. It’s a lot of recognition not just for me but also for everyone in the team. ‘As I now teach at the Edinburgh College of Art I see a lot of talented graduates out there, including Jett who I taught. It’s encouraging with our strong Scottish textile heritage.’ Holly notes her mother as a big influence in her designs: ‘Mum always had issues of Vogue from the 1960s onwards around and I would always be messing about with her vintage pieces. ‘Vivienne Westwood is a key influence as she appeals to people, as is Galiano’s work in the early 90s. ‘As a new designer I try to be flamboyant and get my work out there but am completely committed to producing something women can wear.’ Ensuring her collection is wearable is a priority for Holly in her designs: ‘I would describe my designs as a ready to wear interpretation of

couture with an emphasis on attention to detail. ‘I prefer a clean, simple modern silhouette with a strong emphasis on graphics.’ And it’s this use of graphics in her designs that makes Holly’s range so distinctive. Not only does she design her own collections but Holly also has a range of accessories out with Swarovski and a diffusion range with fashion website ASOS.com. Holly’s future looks bright with so much recognition already and she says she is committed to making it work as a business: ‘I want to make it a viable business as it can be easy to be creative and not think about the longevity. ‘We are getting more industry connections and I’d love to push my collections abroad more. We are currently stocked in 14 stores in New York and have seen our turnover treble this season compared to the last one.’ Currently working on her Spring Summer 2011 collection, which she is massively excited about, the young designer says she prefers these collections as she gets to use more colour. Holly says she also has some more collaborations coming out later this year and interestingly reveals she is exploring other avenues that are not ‘strictly fashion based’ while remaining tight-lipped on the details. Definitely a young designer to watch.

Holly Fulton scooped Scottish Young Designer of the Year for the second consecutive year.

www.hollyfulton.com

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