IT has given Scotland exposure on the international stage in more ways than one for the best part of a decade.

But it has now emerged the annual Dressed to Kilt fashion show in New York will not take place next year, after a row between the show's governing charity and its former chairman Dr Geoffrey Scott Carroll.

The two parties are believed to have fallen out over who runs the event, and have gone to court in a battle over the rights to the brand.

Dressed to Kilt – run by the US-based charity Friends of Scotland (FoS), co-founded by Sir Sean Connery – has been held as part of the Scotland Week celebrations in New York since 2002 to showcase Scottish designers and the best of tartan fashion and raise money for veterans' charities.

Although the fundraising catwalk event was due to celebrate its 10th anniversary next year, FoS said last night the show will not go ahead in 2012.

A spokesman said the charity had "ended its relationship" with Borders-born Dr Scott Carroll, who was the chairman and co-host of the event, but would not say why.

It is understood the event has only been called off for 2012 and it will resume in the future.

The FoS spokesman said: "Following the 2011 Dressed to Kilt event, the Friends of Scotland – which is the registered owner of the Dressed to Kilt trademark and service mark – ended its relationship with Geoffrey Scott Carroll, a volunteer who has helped with past events."

Dr Scott Carroll has launched legal action with the US Patent and Trademark Office against FoS to try to take ownership of the trademark and service mark "Dressed to Kilt".

A spokeswoman at the US Patent and Trademark Office said Dr Scott Carroll had lodged an application to cancel FoS's ownership of the trademark, adding that the case was currently ongoing.

The star-studded event, which is normally held in April, has previously seen the likes of Billy Connolly, Robbie Coltraine, Paulo Nutini and other celebrities take to the catwalk in tartan-clad outfits in support of the charity.

Last year, X-Men actor Alan Cumming, Hollywood funnyman Mike Myers, former Scotland rugby star Thom Evans and Sex And The City's Kyle MacLachlan were among the celebrity models at the show, which raised funds for Wounded Warrior Project, the Paralysed Veterans of America and the Erskine Hospital in Scotland.

However, the event is probably best remembered for former First Minister Jack McConnell's widely derided appearance in 2004, when he modelled an unflattering ruffled shirt and bizarre pinstripe kilt, left. The outfit caused much mirth among political commentators and was dubbed the fashion crime of the year.

Dressed to Kilt has suffered from the non-appearance of its most famous backer, with Sir Sean Connery cancelling his appearance last year. It appears he has made his last visit to the show, as the FoS spokesman said he has now retired from scheduled public appearances.

The spokesman said: "While it was falsely reported in some media that Sir Sean would be attending the 2011 Dressed to Kilt show, he was never scheduled to appear at that event."

Dr Scott Carroll said the legal action was "a matter of principle and does not involve a request for any money".

He said a similar event will take place next year under a different name. From Scotland With Love event will raise money for the charity Cash for Kids.

Dr Scott Carroll said: "The relationship between the founders and producers of the Dressed to Kilt event and the Friends of Scotland organisation has come to an end. We worked successfully together for a number of years and the Friends of Scotland organisation was the beneficiary of our charitable efforts.

"They have now made it clear they will not be involved in any way in a 2012 event.

"The founders, chairmen, producers, co-hosts, stylists, hosting committee members and many of the models, designers, sponsors, honorary chairmen and business partners who created and produced nine years of successful Dressed to Kilt events are still in place and are planning a 10th anniversary show under the title From Scotland With Love – Celebrating 10 Years of Scottish Talent, Creativity and Style."

He added: "It is unfortunate sometimes individuals who are otherwise reasonable human beings and former colleagues can fall out over certain issues where both sides do not see eye-to-eye.

"Our goal is ... to promote Scotland as a country, its culture, its talent, creativity and innovation and the age-old Scottish values of education, exploration and enlightenment."