Royal seal of approval was tartan special
Scotland’s oldest tailoring firm, Stewart Christie & Co was given a major boost when Mary Queen of Scots star Saoirse Ronan wore one of its tartan capelets to the film’s premiere at Edinburgh Castle in January.
Tabitha Stevens, assistant to the Edinburgh company’s creative director and co-owner Vixy Rae, said: “Saoirse’s co-star Jack Lowden had a full, bespoke kilt and kilt jacket made by us.
“She came in with Jack when we were styling him, and that is when she saw the capelet. She said it was perfect for the premiere and she wanted to wear it over her Christian Dior dress. Vixy gave her the sample.
“That definitely got customers coming through the door.
“Our global customers have found us through social media and the website.
“Alexander McCall Smith is a longstanding customer. He has mentioned the shop in his Scotland Street series and now his friends come to us to be styled.
“Ian Rankin has jackets from us and John Barclay has tartan trousers in the Barclay Hunting Tartan. Ewan McGregor and some of his T2 Trainspotting co-stars were fitted for suits here.”
Vixy added: “After Ewan was spotted wearing one of our baker boy hats, we sold a lot of them. Social media definitely helps. Now we call it the McGregor.
“It’s wonderful to have such a variety of creative and talented people in our store.
“It’s an endorsement of quality. We very much focus on creating awareness of buying into quality garments, for both longevity and the impact on our planet. Most of our clients have the same ethos. So it’s the perfect match.”