This month, nearly a dozen of Scotland's leading textile companies will unveil their 2010 Fall/Winter men's clothing and accessory collections in New York and Chicago with the support of Scottish Development International (SDI), the economic development agency of Scotland.
A principal export market for Scotland, exhibitors hope to entice U.S. retailers attending New York's Designer Forum, MRKT, and The Collective New York and Chicago tradeshows with world class luxury textiles from Scotland.
This is the first year Scottish exhibitors will show their collections at the Chicago tradeshow, a move which SDI believes will help boost domestic visibility and sales for Scottish textiles in the U.S.
"Scotland's textile industry has long been synonymous with craftsmanship, performance, and design," said Fiona Topping, Scottish Development International. "The companies exhibiting in New York and Chicago have an extensive reputation for working with elite global brands and couture houses which have defined the luxury goods market in the U.S. and abroad for years."
Sporting innovative design, color, and fiber blends, the 2010 collections feature fashion forward color spectrums, distinctive knitting patterns, and eco-friendly fabrics from Scotland's finest brands.
The following Scottish textile companies will showcase their 2010 collections at the New York and/or Chicago tradeshows:
Begg Scotland
Holland & Sherry (NY only)
Scott & Charters
Harris Tweed (Chicago only)
Lochcarron
Hawick Cashmere (NY only)
Johnstons
Barrie Knitwear (NY only)
Eribe Knitwear
Peter Scott (NY only)
Mackintosh
Retailers interested in previewing Scotland's finest wares while sipping a glass of Scotland's premium Single Malt Scotch Whiskies are invited to attend a private Whisky Tasting Reception hosted by SDI in New York and Chicago. Details are below:
Designer Forum, New York
Sunday, January 17
6-8 p.m. EST
Warwick Hotel, 2nd Floor
65 West 54th Street, New York
The Collective, Chicago
Monday, February 1
4-6 p.m. CST
Scottish Pavillion
Merchandise Mart Plaza, Ste. 470, Chicago
The Scottish textiles industry employs more than 10,000 people across 655 businesses within the fashion, textiles and interior sectors. The industry has an annual turnover of almost 1 billion pounds Sterling and generates export sales of around 390 million pounds.
Scottish Development International seeks to broaden Scotland's international appeal as a first choice source of knowledge, and to assist the growth of the Scottish economy by encouraging inward investment and helping Scottish-based companies develop international trade.
Scottish Development International