Scotland – the most stylish, small country in the world!
By: Mary McGowne
For a country small in size, the creative output of Scots is big and dazzling. Across multiple disciplines there is much to shout about. From fashion, music and design to the visual arts, literature, stage and screen, the face of modern Scotland reflects a wealth of inspirational talent, all making their mark in their respective fields.
Having spent over a decade travelling the globe working in the fabulous world of fashion, the sheer number of these modern Scots, and the impact they make, became startlingly evident to me. Over the years I found myself crossing paths with many of them who were working in positions of creative authority. What struck me was not the fact that we Scots are a creative nation capable of spawning enough groundbreaking talent to compete on the world stage, more it was the disproportionate number of us that there appeared to be. A much greater number than our population might suggest. What struck a further chord was the fact that although these hugely influential tastemakers were recognised internationally, many are not known at home.
This observation proved the catalyst for my decision to create the Scottish Style Awards, an annual celebration of creative endeavour. The purpose of the event is to recognise and celebrate inspirational Scots working in the creative industries at home and across the globe. Staged at the uber cool Tramway Theatre in Glasgow, the first year was very successful with some of the world's most influential and respected figures in the creative industries putting their weight behind the event. The stellar judging panel included the artist Tracey Emin, GQ editor Dylan Jones, iconic photographer Rankin and double Michelin-starred chef Andrew Fairlie.
Through the glitz and glamour a strong message about the healthy state of modern Scotland shone out and a huge amount of positive media coverage was generated.
A Cut Above The Rest
Scotland's art and design schools are unleashing fashion superstars like Christopher Kane, who won Scottish Fashion Designer of the Year at the 2006 Scottish Style Awards. Kane's recent London show had crowds of the world's leading fashion critics queuing to get into a dark grungy Convent Garden basement. He did not let them down. Critics were falling over themselves to praise the 24 year old Scot who recently produced a collection for Top Shop.
Over the last two years, other nominees for the Scottish Fashion Designer of the Year accolade have included former Gucci supremo John Ray, Salvatore Ferragamo head designer Graeme Black, Sonia Rykiel's creative director April Crichton and Jonathan Saunders. A host of dynamic breakthrough talent has also had the style spotlight shone on them including edgy menswear designer Deryck Walker, Aimee McWilliams, Cathal McAteer for Folk, Yong Hei Fong and Olanic.
Star Appeal
Scotland already has many actors who are household names. Think of Ewan Macgregor, Alan Cumming, Billy Connolly, Robert Carlyle and Craig Ferguson. There is hardly a day that passes without a movie that includes a Scot, that references Scotland or portrays the Scottish people. An array of new talent trained at organisations like the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) is emerging from the wings; James McAvoy (Last King of Scotland), Ashley Jensen (Ugly Betty) and Shirley Henderson (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire).
Scotland Rocks
In America right now, many screenplays such as The Devil Wears Prada and Ugly Betty are using songs by Scottish based bands from Snow Patrol to K T Tunstall as their theme tunes. It is hardly surprising that Scotland's bands are doing so well, there's a fantastic range of venues where talented young musicians can refine their style. King Tuts is just one of the legendary Scottish venues where bands like Oasis were signed by the maestro Alan McGee. It is run by DF Concerts, the organisers of the T In The Park. It is largely thanks to the work of impresarios like Geoff Ellis, Director of DF Concerts, that Scotland is one of the hottest places right now for new talent.
Independent records labels like Breastfed Records, run by Myles MacInnes (Mylo), Duncan Reid (Linus Loves) and Kevin Kennedy have achieved extraordinary global success. In fact, Mylo's own Destroy Rock & Roll album has crossed over to become the stuff of mainstream music – a phenomenon that looks set to be repeated with Linus Love's new electro album, Stage Invader. This smorgasbord of a new talent is following a long line of great Scottish bands from Shirley Manson and Primal Scream, to Simple Minds and Annie Lennox. New names to look out for include Paulo Nutini, The Fratellis and beautiful folk singer Amy Macdonald.
If you are in New York over Tartan Week 2007, look out for the Scotland Rocks concert which includes The 1990's and Sons and Daughters. Mogwai and Belle and Sebastian will also be there, dj-ing.
Scottish Flair
We also have a reputation for cutting edge stylish magazines. One of the most popular is Homes and Interiors Scotland, the flagship title of this bijou Glasgow-based publishing house. The magazine has achieved a level of success beyond the wildest dreams of its founders, Iain McEwan and David Riddell. Routinely commended for its clean design and the excellence of its editorial content, it is now Scotland's best-selling consumer-interest glossy, with an influence even greater than its impressive circulation figures. Showcasing outstanding Scottish houses and innovative products, it has raised awareness of and enthusiasm for contemporary architecture and design in Scotland.
Cutting Edge
Scotland has always had a flair for eye catching hair styles and clothes designs. Whether the challenge is to tame supermodel Karen Elson's Titian locks into pin-curls for an Yves Saint Laurent fragrance advert or create ravishing coiffures for the latest Vera Wang campaign, there is one Ayrshire lad who can be relied upon to oblige. Working in the world's major fashion capitals, Malcolm Edwards is the session artist behind some of today's most arresting and influential looks in hair, creating memorable styling for key international fashion magazines and major runway shows.
Art Attack
Add to all of the above an art scene with heaps of kudos supported by inspirational galleries like The Modern Institute which represents a truly dazzling coterie of talent – including Beck's Futures winner Toby Paterson, Turner nominees like Jim Lambie and 2005 Turner Prize winner Simon Starling.
We are also breaking the boundaries when it comes to digital art. Following a line of famous artists from the Glasgow School of Art (including Charles Rennie Mackintosh), rm*(live link to article was formed in 2004 by Debs Norton and Gaylie Runciman stands at the forefront of the digital design revolution. Fusing fine art and animation, colour, texture, live footage and compositing, this agency is working in a vibrant new artistic medium, with an extraordinary output ranging from innovative music videos to large format 3-D stereo digital installations. Their work is defining new possibilities and is taking art to a place where no one has gone before.
Further Information
