New tartan design for distillery

The distillery, along with Harris Tweed Hebrides, the Harris Tweed Authority and the islands’ education services worked closely with schools across the island as they set local schoolchildren the challenge of designing a new Isle of Harris Distillery tweed while learning about this special and historic cloth from the Outer Hebrides.

After months of working with local children the eventual winner was 14-year-old Scott Murray from S3 at Sir E. Scott School on the Isle of Harris. Scott’s submission included a mood board with experimental yarn selection and pattern painting with carefully thought-out rationale of his influences. Scott’s winning design was woven by the distillery’s own Stephen Passmore and this year, Isle of Harris Distillery has collaborated with designer Judy R Clark to create something uniquely special from this cloth.

Award-winning designer Judy is famed for her exquisite hand-tailored womenswear designs comprising Harris Tweeds, Scottish lace and antique fabrics. Previously working for the late Alexander McQueen, Judy set up her own business when she returned to Scotland creating bespoke ranges.

Judy first began to use Harris Tweed when her grandmother, a native to the islands brought the designer back a suitcase full of vibrant tweeds on the boat which had been woven by her Uncle Donald, a weaver on the island. The designer brings an avant-garde twist to the cloth in her unique collections.

Each jacket is made using specially woven Isle of Harris Distillery Harris Tweed combined with luxurious teal velvet collars embroidered in secret rose gold threads.

For this exclusive product, Judy has been working with Alison Macleod of Tiger Textiles in the Isle of Lewis who has been working in her studio in Ness embroidering the hidden message in the back collar. The linings of the jackets are inspired by the Hebridean seas finished with rose copper buttons and contrasting sea blue buttonholes.

Ahead of launching this product in 2021, customers in Scotland have the chance to own a made-to-measure version of the jacket. These are limited in availability and for this moment, only for people who are able to attend a consultation in Glasgow or Edinburgh within the next five weeks.

The consultation with Judy in her Edinburgh studio or at the Isle of Harris Gin pop up shop in Glasgow will be needed to be fitted for the men’s or women’s design.

The jackets will be made and delivered in 4-6 weeks’ time. The fittings will have limited availability and the consultation and jackets will be sold on a first-come-first served basis. These jackets have been exquisitely designed with great attention to detail, however, there are room for some minor adjustments to the placement of buttons if required and the style of collar for the men’s jacket. This can be discussed with Judy at the fitting.

If people are interested in purchasing a made-to-measure jacket, they can enquire by sending an email to [email protected] who will arrange a phone call to discuss details personally.

Lorna Macaulay, Harris Tweed Authority CEO says: “It comes as great comfort to those of us in the Harris Tweed industry that there are young islanders coming through who clearly have the skill, interest and want to continue in their generation what those 150 years ago started.”

Simon Erlanger, Managing Director of Isle of Harris Distillers says: “The creation of this jacket in partnership with Judy is a project which strikes at the heart of what the distillery stands for. Working with the wonderful Harris Tweed industry and involving schoolchildren across the island in the competition to design our tweed, we are so proud that the finished item embodies the best of the Isle of Harris”

Judy commented: “The Isle of Harris Distillery Collection has been such a wonderful project to work on. The coats are contemporary with great attention to detail, each made by hand in Scotland.”

Margaret Ann Macleod, Sales Director of Harris Tweed Hebrides said: “Translating the ideas and inspiration from our island’s young people into Harris Tweed fabric has been a pleasure for the team, particularly Scott Murray’s winning design. To see the fabric design now tailored into beautiful garments where design, craftsmanship, and attention to detail have remained at the heart of this project embodies the close relationship between two unique Hebridean island industries.”