Judy R Clark: March 2011

I had the honour of meeting John Lowrie Morrison (Jolomo) last week at an awards ceremony organised by PSYBT. The afternoon comprised of a lovely lunch followed by a round of interviews and then the big prize giving. It was a nervous wait for all but well worth it, delighted to have won! Second and third place respectively went to Lauren Crawford who lives in fife and designs handwoven textiles and Dundee based silversmith Geena Delaney.

PSYBT supported business..


Jolomo and Judy

The Jolomo PSYBT Awards were launched in March 2008 with the help of a £10,000 donation from Jolomo to inspire more young people with arts and crafts backgrounds living in North West Scotland and the Highlands and Islands to set up their own businesses. This year the awards and the prize money were extended to include eligible arts and crafts businesses throughout the whole of Scotland.

You can read the article in full at Creative Boom.

Judy R Clark - Images Carol Ann Peacock

L-R Laurie Stewart, Harris Tweed and Knitwear, Judy R Clark, Henry Holland. Hats - Fabhatrix.

Pheasant Feather Bustle with orb hat (Fabhatrix)

Laurie Stewart, Harris Tweed and Knitwear

The centenary year of the Harris Tweed Orb was celebrated in true style on March 12th . Alison Macleod and I co-managed the event with Lorna Macaulay to produce the event which showcased the best in British deign. It was a truly entertaining evening.

The showcase projected visuals about the history of the cloth featuring images by Ian Lawson and Carol Ann Peacock. The Laxdale ladies then took to the stage and preformed a 'walking song' followed by singer song writer Irene McTaggart. Irene was fantastic on the guitar in a live acoustic session!

Laxdale Ladies backstage

Also featured in the show was 'The Big Reveal' where two of the cancer research workers Anne and Cathrine were game to strut there stuff down the catwalk after being made over by the hair and make up team. and adorned in harris tweed. They made over £800 during the evening kindly donated by audience members.

Now for the Catwalk.......

Henry Holland produced a show stopping collection featuring romper suits in bright purples, pinks and oranges with a hint of PVC. The designer’s range also includes silks digitally printed with a herringbone pattern that draped round the shoulders of his tailored multicoloured dresses. Alison and I could not resist trying on a couple of rompers. More photos will follow of this.(Tweedy the new puppy at the HTA chewed Alisons camera cable so will update soon!)

Henry Holland dress and jacket

The Queen of fashion Dame Vivienne Westwood sent down a womens-wear tailored coat featuring over sized lapels in stripes of grey, blue and black from her autumn/ winter 2010 Prince Charming range. We were very pleased to have her new wears appear on the Stornoway catwalk.

Ben Shermans Classic Collection in traditional moss greens jackets, styled with retro braces was accompanied by a local West Highland Terrier who was also kitted out in a distinctive harris tweed coat.

Ben Sherman

Slanj produced a bespoke Harris Tweed contemporary kilt outfit for host, Fred MacAuly. Fred entertained audience in our afternoon and evening show then went on to do a killer stand up performance which led to much laughter and a few wines!

Fred MacAuly in tweed outfit by Slanj

New Scottish fashion label Jaggy Nettle supplied a range of Harris Tweed High Tops and quirky cashmere jumpers which featured throughout the show. I really want the black 'Slag' jumper!

Three local designers Netty Sopata, Sally Avis and Laurie Stewart collaborated on a collection using hues of greys and blues; the range features exquisite kilts designed for the female form.


Harris Tweed and Knitwear, Laurie Stewart, Joyce Paton, Iona Crawford

Iona Crawford made a four piece collection for the show in light coloured pastles lined with her illustraive silk prints.

New Glasgow fashion label Obscure Couture produced a one of a kind play suit in leather and black and white check. The ladies sent me some images of their new piece..check it out!

Obcoure Cotoure

Obscure Cotoure

Fawns Reid, an Edinburgh based milliner, designed exclusive pieces incorporating the Harris Tweed orb into her head wear using gold, felt, feathers and of course Harris Tweed. She has her own unique signature style which finished of the outfits in dramatic style. (Her hats feature in most of these images.)

Irregular Choice provided the show with a beatuiful range of footwear, a big thank you to them for their kind sponsership.

Joyce Patons outfit closed the show, alongside Harris tweed in Knitwear. The finale featured two models being piped down the catwalk holding a golden harris tweed orb designed by Joyce symbolizing the homecoming of the orb.

Joyce Paton

Some of the backstage team

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO LINK to STV film clip form the Stornoway event.

A big thank you to all that helped make the show possible. Colours Model Agency provided us with a superb team of models, they fell in love with the island and are sure to return!

Maggie your hospitality was great and to Christine for her four star accomodation at Heb Hostel. All of our dressers backsatge did a superb job.

Ailson and I had a fantastic time producing the show with Lorna and have plans to bring it to catwalk near you later this year!

Photographs from the show were provided by Carol Ann Peacock, the images she has on her website featuring people from the island are beautiful so please check them out! Carol Ann has a book coming out in the Autumn about weaving with the writer and Poet Donald S. Murray.