Textiles students showcase designs for new Aberdeen Tailors award

March 27, 2024

North East Scotland College (NESCol) textiles students presented handmade garments to the Aberdeen Tailors Incorporation on 6 March 2024, as part of a newly-established award.

Held at Aberdeen’s prestigious Trinity Hall, 13 students created and displayed their designs for ‘The Aberdeen Tailors Incorporation NESCol Fashion Development Award 2024’. This is the first of what will become an annual event between the College’s HND Textiles students and Tailors Incorporation.

Split into four teams, the students were tasked with creating a garment or collection based on the theme of ‘Past & Present’. Their research involved visiting Peapod, a local vintage store, to gather photographs and inspiration. They were also asked to explore fashion trends through the decades.

The winning garments will be decided by the Members of Tailors, who are set to present first place group members with certificates at NESCol’s Aberdeen City Campus in the coming weeks. The winning team will also receive a £50 cash prize each from the Tailors.

Laura Cameron, Textiles Lecturer at NESCol, set up the event to encourage students to collaborate and connect with the local industry.

She said: “This award has been, and will continue to be, an excellent opportunity for our first year HND Textiles students. It is the perfect platform for students to get truly creative and apply the skills they have learned in College in a professional environment.”

Students worked on their garments during the first semester, with some teams opting for whole collections and others working on different parts of a single garment. One team produced a red carpet and afterparty look for Margot Robbie to wear to the Barbie premier, while another designed 50, 60s and 70s-inspired red looks.

The Members of Tailors were extremely impressed with the high standard of work.

Philip Sainsbury, Deacon, the Aberdeen Tailors Incorporation, said: “The Aberdeen Tailors Incorporation has for some years run an Awards Programme for fashion students at Gray’s School of Art (part of Robert Gordon University) and the introduction this year of an award at NESCol is a natural stem in promoting fashion and tailoring awards to students at the College.

“This is the inaugural year, and we in the Tailors would hope that this joint venture expands as the years progress and is seen as a stepping stone in the future careers of the students taking part.”