Handcrafted Highlanders: Students team up with museum to create accessories range

Friday, 03 February, 2012

Students from Robert Gordon University’s Gray’s School of Art and The Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen have collaborated to produce a vibrant exhibition and luxury accessories range entitled ‘Handcrafted Highlanders’ which launches on Wednesday 1 February.

As part of the Museum’s Education and Lifelong Learning Project, third-year Textiles and Surface Design students from the School were given a brief to design a range of surface decoration scarves from Johnston of Elgin’s luxury fabrics including cashmere and lambswool. Aimed at the visitor market of the museum which comprises tourists, local visitors and professionals, students were to take inspiration from the legacy and identity of The Gordon Highlanders.

Following The Gordon Highlanders concept including the military tones and textures of the regiments branding, students worked in groups focusing on a theme of the Highlanders including ‘Steadfast’, ‘Ley of the Land’, ‘Threads of Time’ and ‘Forgotten Highlander’.

Tess Maclean, Education and Outreach Officer at The Gordon Highlanders Museum, explains:

“This Lifelong Learning project allowed the Museum to branch out to a new demographic and inspire fresh audiences. By exploring the history of The Gordon Highlanders through textile media, the exhibition offers a creative range of fashion items suitable for the lady as well as the gent, and shows the design process from development and marketing to the final products.

“The Gordon Highlanders Museum is committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of the world-famous regiment for future generations and looks to constantly evolve and provide a wide range of unique experiences. This exhibition hosts an array of visual delights for visitors to explore and has allowed the students to connect with the local community in Aberdeen.”

Charlie Hackett, Lecturer in Fashion and Textiles at Gray’s, adds:

“This project has provided the students with a great opportunity to work with a client on a real design brief, feeding the themes and historical influences of the regiment as well as local heritage into their creations.”

The exhibition will run until June 2012, Tuesday to Saturday from 10am-4pm in the Education Room at The Gordon Highlanders Museum, Viewfield Road, Aberdeen.

 Notes to Editors:

Museum admission applies to view the exhibition:

Adult - £5.00
Senior Citizens and students - £3.00
Child - £2.00
Family - £11.00

Admission is free to the tea rooms & garden.

For more information, please visit www.gordonhighlanders.com.

 

Issued on behalf of The Gordon Highlanders Museum & Robert Gordon University by:

Sarah Grieve
Communications Officer
Robert Gordon University
Schoolhill
Aberdeen
AB10 1FR
Tel: 01224 262206
Email: s.j.grieve@rgu.ac.uk.

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