Pringle of Scotland

PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND 

WOMENSWEAR – AW 17 COLLECTION

Feileadh-mor. A word imbued with tradition, inspiring thoughts of Gaelic drama and the historic Highlands of Scotland. Translated roughly as ‘great wrap’, it is the name given to the technique of wrapping, winding and draping heavy fabrics around the body.

Originally part of eighteenth century Highland dress, the shape and silhouette influenced today’s wholly contemporary collection, with swathes and squares of fabric used to construct voluminous shapes, often secured with oversized kilt pins. Originally the feileadh-mor would have been tartan, the characteristic mark of the truly Scottish.

Pringle is proud of its heritage, and the collection features reinterpretations of classic check and argyle, the latter already a tartan reinvention of sorts. One particular argyle design was inspired by the work of artist Lucy Orta, whose 1995 project ‘Identity + Refuge’ recycled old garments and reworked them into new clothes.

For the show, two unique pieces were made from old Pringle argyle knitwear, recycled and constructed as a patchwork of panels. Pringle of Scotland has forever been the pioneer, historically at the forefront of knitwear design and innovation.

The new collection showcases yet another example of this inventiveness: printing designs directly onto knitwear. Introduced by then head designer Wallace Shaw in the 1960s, the technique has been revitalised for the new season as a bold and bright floral, directly reproduced from a vintage piece discovered in the brand archives.

Fran Stringer, Womenswear Design Director: “Each season Pringle looks at new ways to re-connect with its iconic Scottish heritage.It was interesting to explore two very different angles – the traditions of eighteenth century dress take us right back to the roots of tartan, kilts and plaid, and then finding Wallace Shaw’s archive designs introduced us once again to Pringle as an innovator – applying print techniques to knitwear in a way that had never been done before. I always want to balance pride in our heritage with a celebration of the advancements in fashion and manufacturing, and this collection champions both.”