The Inventors of Tradition

Last night I went to the book launch of The Inventors of Tradition by Beca Lipscombe and Lucy McKenzie. The book is a celebration of Scottish textile manufacturing and design and it's international influence from the 1930's to present day. It's is a really in-depth compilation of rare archive fashion photography, paraphernalia and interviews from textiles pioneers from Janette Murray to Wallace Shaw. Described as "intersection between art, design and social history", the book gives a really good insight into the many factors that brought on the decline in the 1970's such as lack of infrastructure, and not just that many high-street shops were taking their manufacturing to the Far East. Though this is addressed, there is strong emphasis on the celebration of past and evidence that there is a strong and lasting future for Scottish textile manufacturing.



At the launch last night I was able to view a collection of pieces that Atelier designed in collaboration as part of the project with a key selection of Scottish manufacturers, from Janette Murray hand-knits to the Mackintosh coat.





David Breckenridge, chair of Textiles Scotland: “The Inventors of Tradition is an innovative project bringing together rare archive material from the textiles industry and introducing exciting new pieces to our rich cultural legacy in the form of Atelier’s collection.

“The new book highlights the important contribution of Scottish textiles to the world of fashion acknowledging the pioneering designers and companies whose skills, expertise and creativity have contributed to making Scottish textiles the industry it is today.”

The book itself is really beautifully designed and illustrated and for anyone interested in Scottish textiles, a good worthy study. Editing the book was We Are Panel- who you might be familiar with through the Scotland Can Make It competition. (Unfortunately I was too busy preparing for Pulse to submit a proposal).