A former Ayrshire construction worker who designed the first tartan to go into space is set to light up the catwalks of New York City. Graeme Bone, from Auchinleck, has designed and produced five outfits for the Dressed To Kilt fashion show, which is part of New York’s Tartan Week festivities taking place next month. The designs were commissioned by Dressed To Kilt organiser Dr Geoffrey Scott Carroll, and will be modelled by stars including Ayrshire singer Jai McDowall, winner of Britain’s Got Talent in 2011.
Mr Bone said the show could be a “pivotal” point in a career that has already established him as one of Scotland’s foremost tailors of Highland wear. “Geoffrey had seen my work through online presence and from past articles and said he thought it was fantastic and really cool,” he said. “The feeling of pride is literally inexplicable and I’m looking forward to representing myself, my brand and The King’s Foundation at Tartan Week.
” The 39-year-old worked in construction for 11 years before retraining in fashion, initially via a college course and later through courses run by the King’s Foundation at Dumfries House. The kiltmaker now receives private commissions from international clients and is known to the King, and in 2022 he designed a tartan that became the first to go into space. However for McDowall the forthcoming show will be a celebration of the pair’s home county of Ayrshire.
“I love Scotland and this is a way to connect with my Scot.
