Dressed to Kilt!
What better way to celebrate a birthday and Tartan day then by attending Scotland’s largest and most prestigious fashion show? Usually hosted in New York this year it was held at the Liberty Grand Ballroom in Toronto. The event has grown into affair, attracting attention from fashion aficionados, celebrities, and dignitaries from around the world.
Dressed to Kilt has become a global fashion phenomenon that transcends the boundaries of style and culture. It was founded 20 years ago by Sir Sean Connery and Dr. Geoffrey Scott Carroll who hosted this years show. Dressed to Kilt merges the elegance of black-tie attire with the rich history of Scotland. Over the years, it has become synonymous with elegance, tradition, and innovation, continually pushing the boundaries of Scottish fashion while honoring its rich cultural roots.
The theme of the Toronto fashion show was “Dress for Adventure – From Caledonia to Canada”. This was a tribute to the fashion of the countryside and the great outdoors and a nod to the shared love of nature in both countries. While the show was replete with more traditional tweeds and tartans designed for the 21st century the line up of styles, models and participants was both eclectic and dazzling.
A wide variety of designers brought their ideas to life including students from Toronto’s own George Brown School of Fashion. They were thrilled and talented. Miss Scotland adorned the boardwalk wearing her stunning red gown recently worn at the Miss World Competition in India. Kirsty Mack was in “camo” fresh from her conquest of Mount Everest late last fall. Culinary delights were playfully represented by Allan Bosse, Halifax’s “Kilted Chef”
The military were well represented and played a big role in the show. A showcase of World War One uniforms was poignant. The Toronto Scottish Regiment wore their iconic hodden grey tartans adopted from the London Scottish. Both the Canadian Blackstone Association and US Navy Seal Foundation walked the runway and were recipients of a portion of the proceeds of Dressed to Kilt.
The audience were fascinated and were equally fascinating. Most of the men wore some various styes of kilts and tartan. I was kilted in a comparatively ho hum Ross hunting tartan and black tweed jacket. The women wore a wide variety of beautiful kilts, sashes and evening gowns. There were entirely out of the box “outfits’ too. Some were quite unsuited to the still brisk April 6 evening!
Liberty Ballroom
Although the show was sold out there was not a bad seat in the house and there was something for everybody. It was a wonderful change up from the more traditional Scottish fetes and a true indication that culture and style is alive and well in Scotland today. And also a reminder that there is a whole world out there celebrating Celtic and Scottish culture in every way imaginable.
We are hooked! I look forward to getting the next show and do my best to raise my game and get Dressed to Kilt. Hope to see you there!
Andy MacCulloch
OttScot Kilt Skate and Communications Director Andy and his wife Brigitte - dressed to Kilt!