Wednesday July 1st 2026
Andrea Chappell weaving pleat
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
A new exhibition and Edinburgh Fringe event will champion the art and craft of kiltmaking, exploring the heritage of the traditional Scottish garment through a contemporary lens.
The collaboration between the Scottish Textiles Showcase, bespoke kiltmaker Andrea Chappell and the Dye, Weave, Pleat project celebrates what is now an endangered craft, looking at the practice of kiltmaking, traditional pleating techniques and their contemporary translations.
Located on St Mary’s Street just off Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, Scottish Textiles Showcase offers a curated collection of Scottish knitwear, coats and homeware that blends heritage craftsmanship with contemporary design – aligning perfectly with the ethos of the Dye, Weave, Pleat collective which promotes a sustainable way of making new kilts and creating true couture pieces using traditional techniques.
The boutique will be the venue for two Edinburgh Fringe events this August. The first is an opportunity to hear Andrea Chappell talk about her practice of kiltmaking and how she incorporates vintage fabrics and deadstock alongside classic tartans and heritage tweeds. The second event looks at the collaboration of three Scottish textile traditions: natural dyeing, hand weaving and hand-stitched kiltmaking. Andrea will be joined by colourist Cavan Jayne and hand weavers Chantal Allan and Christopher McEvoy of Glasgow micro-mill VEVAR – Cavan and VEVAR have worked with fashion brands including Hermès and Alexander McQueen. Each maker will talk about their own practice as well as the process of combining the crafts, blending their heritage skills to create contemporary kilts.
Ahead of the events, the store will display a selection of kilts created by the Dye, Weave, Pleat artisans, allowing visitors to enjoy these truly exceptional garments and gain an insight into how they are designed and made. The window display will be dedicated to a selection of the collective’s handstitched kilts with contemporary kilt pins by silversmith Kristin Beeler.
Kitty Bruce-Gardyne, director of the Scottish Textiles Showcase said:
“We’re thrilled to be bringing these incredible kilts to Edinburgh – it’s really exciting to be sharing genuine Scottish craftsmanship in the heart of the city and we hope that it will shine a light on the creativity and skill of our textiles industry. Our vision is simple: to celebrate Scottish provenance and the skills of talented artisan makers and mills, and our collection reflects the enduring quality that’s promised when you see ‘Made in Scotland’.
“Our two Fringe events will be of interest to anyone who’d like to know more about how the endangered craft of kiltmaking is being given new life by a new generation of artisans, attracting the interest of haute couture fashion houses. These are not the standard tartan kilts found elsewhere but luxury pieces with incredible detailing and finishing – a great example of why it’s so important to us to celebrate Scotland’s rich textile heritage.”
Contemporary Kiltmaking: What Makes a Kilt is on Monday 17 August and Contemporary Kiltmaking: the Dye, Weave, Pleat Collaboration is on Tuesday 18 August, with tickets for each event priced at £10. An installation of couture kilts will run from 25 June until 30 August, admission free. Both events and the display of kilts take place at the Scottish Textiles Showcase, 20 St Mary’s Street, Edinburgh.
Find more information at scottishtextilesshowcase.com.
Tweet Share on Facebook
