New York celebs and heroes 'dressed to kilt' by Black Isle designer
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A BLACK Isle woman has pulled off another fashion coup under pressure after mingling with celebrity models and military heroes at a glittering New York showcase.
Siobhan Mackenzie was able to hit the Big Apple with a Best New Scottish Designer to her name for the swanky Dressed to Kilt event that kicked off New York Fashion Week.
Siobhan, who studied for a BA Hons fashion design and production degree at Glasgow Kelvin University and then set up her own business after discovering a keen worldwide demand for her unique take on kilts and associated tartan garments, had been asked to design the dress for the CEO of the US Navy Seals Foundation, Robin King, in addition to showing off her own head-turning collection.
She told the Ross-shire Journal: “I designed the dress using sheer pale blue tones with Swarovski crystal and 3D flower embellishments which was pretty time intensive but glittered beautifully under the catwalk.
“Usually with bespoke gowns you would have several fittings, however I met Robin King for the first time on the day of the show – so the pressure was on to make sure the dress was perfect first time.
"Luckily it fitted wonderfully and I could breathe a sigh of relief!”
Considered the largest and most prestigious Scottish fashion event in the world, Dressed to Kilt again lured celebrities and world-class athletes from both sides of the Atlantic.
These included Real Housewives of New York cast members Luann D’Agostino, Dorinda Medley, Sonja Morgan, Carole Radziwill and Ramona Singer.
Other celeb guests included Miss Scotland, Lucy Kerr and NFL Superbowl Champion, Brandon Marshall of the Denver Broncos.
Siobhan has had a lifelong interest in fashion and discovered her niche after learning traditional kilt-making skills and then trying out different techniques to put a fresh slant on a classic.
She found an instant demand for her designs, prompting her to set up her own business. Her work is now sought-after around the world.
Her inspiration is rooted in her Black Isle home where her family, including parents Graham and Charmaine Mackenzie, all stay.
Dressed to Kilt transported guests to Scotland for an evening in the castle-like Grand Hall of the High Line Hotel in Chelsea.
Guests decked in their finest kilts, ball gowns and black tie garb began the evening with Scottish Highland dancing following by a full fashion show featuring some of Scotland’s hottest designers modelled by a mix of celebrities, professional models and military heroes.
Former Navy Seal Andy Stumpf walked the finale with Navy Seal Foundation CEO Robin King.
As well as Siobhan, the fashion show showcased the latest designs from Johnstons of Elgin.
Special honour was paid to both US Medal of Honour recipient, Captain Florent Grobert, U.S. Army, and UK Victoria Cross recipient, Lance Sergeant Johnson Gideon Beharry VC.
The Princess’s Royal Regiment and the Navy Seal Foundation revealed their own Scottish Tartan pattern which was unveiled at the event on the runway in a custom gowned designed by Siobhan.
The event raised funds for the Navy Seal Foundation.
Cisco co-founder Sandy Lerner sought to shed light on an additional cause by auctioning off an antique Scottish wildcat pin to raise money for the Scottish Wildcat Foundation, aimed at helping to save the feline creatures.
Dressed to Kilt has raised significant funds for wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade.
@RJ_hmackenzie
