Scot speaks of inspiration for that dress

Fashion blogger

Friday 28 September 2012

The ancient Highland tradition of weaving lay behind the show-stopping "sustainable" dress worn by Nick Clegg's wife, it emerged yesterday.

DESIGN FOR LIFE: Henrietta Ludgate.

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Caroline Young

Dingwall-born designer Henrietta Ludgate revealed her late great-grandfather was a weaver in the town, and the textile production in her family history made her passionate about sourcing materials locally.

Ms Ludgate runs her firm from Dingwall and London, and says she is determined to help maintain a fashion manufacturing base in the UK by ensuring all the fabric she uses is made here.

The £395 Chimera dress worn by Miriam Gonzalez Durantez to accompany her husband at his keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat conference was made from recycled fabric woven in Yorkshire, while the peplum detail was constructed from recycled baseball caps.It drew more attention to Ms Ludgate, whose celebrity fans include Livia, wife of Colin Firth, who wore one of her designs to dine with the Queen and Barak and Michelle Obama; Downton Abbey actress Elizabeth McGovern; and Scottish singer songwriter Emeli Sande.Ms Ludgate said: "I can't remember my great-grandfather, Alexander McKay, but my dad can, and he tells stories about him and our family history. "The house I grew up in was even called Weaver's Cottage, which my great-grandfather built at Knockfarrel. "I try to support the textile and manufacturing industry because, for me, working in the industry and in the production, I see these giant mills not being here anymore. "I thought I'd like to be able to do my bit, even though it's only a small part. It's important as we have a huge heritage in manufacturing and it should still be here."After doing A-level art at Gordonstoun, Ms Ludgate studied at Central Saint Martin's College of Arts and Design in London, following in the footsteps of Alexander McQueen and fellow Scot Christopher Kane. She began her career in London as a stylist and costume designer before going on to work for British designer Osman Yousefzada. But she returned to her home town to start up her own business in 2009. She got support from Highland and Islands Enterprise and Creative Scotland's Starter for Six programme, and was then funded by the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust to set up her luxury women's wear label, Henrietta Ludgate. After the success of her first autumn/winter 2009 show at Glasgow Fashion week, she was awarded the Ethical Fashion Forum's Fashion Innovation Award at London Fashion Week for spring/summer 2010. She was also named Scottish Young Designer of the Year 2011 at the Scottish Fashion Awards.The landscapes of Scotland are a constant influence in her designs. Her first collection was inspired by the forests around Loch Ussie, near Strathpeffer, while her next collection was based on the Northern Lights.She said: "It's a modern take on tradition. I think your imagination grows from your home, and you draw from your life experiences and your environment. I think when people go to Scotland after seeing my designs, they say: 'Now I get it'." Ms Ludgate has become a favourite designer of Ms Gonzalez Durantez, who has worn her dresses at the Jubilee concert in Hyde Park and the Olympic opening ceremony. She describes Mrs Clegg as a modern day Jackie Onassis, and her perfect muse. She said: "She really knows her own mind, and she's really strong, fun and confident. She represents my designs really well. "Not everyone can wear it, you have to be daring and bold, and know your own mind. But I thought she looked great in it. I didn't know that she was going to be wearing it until someone from my workshop phoned me."

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Scot speaks of inspiration for that dress

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