The Inventors of Tradition Collection Look Book 2011 / Atelier present their first fashion collection encompassing high quality wovens, knitwear, raincoats, workwear and accessories. The collection has been developed as part of the recent project ‘The Inventors of Tradition’ which was organised with the independent design office Panel (Lucy McEachan and Catriona Duffy, www.wearepanel.co.uk). Presented through an exhibition, film screening and publication, the project took as its subject the history of the Scottish textiles industry post 1930′s and Atelier collaborated with some of the most established and respected manufacturers still producing in Scotland. These include Mackintosh, Caerlee Mills, McRostie of Glasgow, Hawick Cashmere, Begg Scotland and Janette Murray Handknits.

The concept of the collection is to use the best of local manufacturing to realise a wardrobe for working women, specifically artists and those in creative and artisan professions. As a decorative painter, Lucy McKenzie understands exactly what she needs in a work coat; it must be inexpensive and durable, but also rather dapper; like those worn by skilled factory workers when Scotland was an industrial power base. Together with tailor Steven Purvis she has designed a capsule collection of artist’s work coats inspired by historical models that are practical and beautiful. Several of the silhouettes are replicated in delicate fabrics to reveal how a garment’s use is transformed depending on whether it is manufactured in cotton, silk or antique linen, and are cut specifically for men and women, rather than ‘unisex’.

Beca Lipscombe’s eponymous label manufactures exclusively in Scotland. Here she presents a selection of high quality cashmere and purewool knitwear and wovens to be worn together with the work coats as one naturally does in a cold climate, by layering. Comfortable, flattering and luxurious jumpers to be combined as either skirt or trouser suits are available in several styles and colours including neo navy, caramac and macaroon. Her contemporary take on the classic aran jumper, where the knit is loose enough to reveal naked skin underneath, sums up her approach to design perfectly; responding to tradition, especially Scottish, with a sensuous and independent femininity.

To compliment these outfits a selection of accessories and two raincoats designed exclusively with Mackintosh are included within the collection. The Viennese hat manufacturer Muehlbauer www.muehlbauer.at, family owned since 1903, produced several formal hats to accompany the rain coats, which along with a leather bag, leather belts and cashmere woven scarves create a striking collection. Striking not only in it’s craftsmanship and unique production ethos but in it’s proposal of elegant self-respect in dress for working life.

35 pages
9 x 6 inches
8 reproduced color drawings, 1 reproduced b/w drawing, 20 color photographs