Harris Tweed Centre - Lewis & Harris Events

www.hebevents.com1501/05/13 - 05/06/13 EVENTS SECTION ONEHarris Tweed 2013: EVENTS special reportIn the headquarters of the Harris Tweed Authority in the Town Hall, Stornoway, photographer, Ian Lawson and tweed enthusiast, AlisonO'Neill, look over the first copy of his long-awaited inaugural publication, ‘From the Land Comes the Cloth’ to arrive on the islands.Photographer's great book of Harris Tweedand Hebrides pictures and words goes on saleOn Wednesday May 1, Cumbrian landscape photographerIan Lawson released his long-awaited inauguralpublication, ‘From the Land Comes the Cloth’.The 432 page book, which contains 280 images of OuterHebridean landscapes, unique portraits of local crofters and intimateexplorations of Harris Tweed colour and cloth, has been offi ciallyendorsed by the Harris Tweed Authority, and has a foreword by HRHThe Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay who describes the book as“inspiring” and one that “captures that special relationship” betweenthe island cloth’s colour and the natural environment.Arriving in the Outer Hebrides in 2003 to photograph an annulareclipse, Ian had no way of knowing the experience would mark thebeginning of a passionate encounter with landscape and traditionresulting in a collection of words and images that offers the vieweran insight into the window of a hidden world that has survived forcenturies off the northwest coast of Scotland.The photographs are accompanied by a 16,000 word journal. fullof fascinating content, including fi rst hand accounts with crofters andweavers as well as Ian’s personal recollections of his journeys, fromthe weaving shed of Harris Tweed weaver Donald John MackayMBE on the shores of Luskentyre sands to the busy tweed mills ofLewis, meeting shepherds and crofters.The publication, which has been previewed in recent years inshows at An Lanntair arts centre and elsewhere, has undergonehigh-quality fi ve colour printing with varnish seal to the images, onto FSC heavyweight matte art paperstock, printed and bound inthe UK by the country's premier colour book printer Butler TannerDennis. Their printing press is the only one of its kind in UK - a veryspecial Heidelberg XL 162 VLF (very large format).The binding is in a beautiful hardcover of Brillianta Cloth in LewisBlackhouse Grey or Harris Sea Blue replete with white foil stampingon the front, spine and back. It is further presented in a Frenchfolded jacket with matte laminate and foil stamping in two colours.The case binding is thread sown, fl at back with head and tail bands.Additional packaging and case options will also be available forcustom and personalised orders, details of which will be announcedsoon.Ian offi cially launched the book on May 1st with a special eventin the Bay Area of Harris and the First Edition went on sale from hiswebsite store that day also, priced at £125.00.Extraordinary…12 pages of Harris Tweednews and pictures starts hereShepherdessCLOTHING & ACCESSORIESPlease contact:Alison O’NeillMobile: 07765 963857E: info@shepherdess.co.ukshepherdess.co.uk

EVENTS SECTION ONE 01/05/13 - 05/06/1316www.hebevents.com

www.hebevents.com1701/05/13 - 05/06/13 EVENTS SECTION ONEHarris Tweedcentre opensits doorsFashion on show in the new Harris Tweed CentreApril saw the low-key launch of the new Harris Tweed Centre inDrinishader, with its exhibition showing the development of HarrisTweed over the decades and its many modern incarnations.The purpose-built centre, located behind the former Drinishaderschool which is now partly occupied by Harris Tweed andKnitwear's retail outlet, contains a wide range of the garments andother products made with Harris Tweed in recent years.However, the full complement of parking facilities is not yetavailable so the formal opening has been delayed until the centreis better able to cope with groups of visitors. Ideal for fi ne weather,the centre has extensive decking outside for those wishing to takein the views out towards the Minch.The project is the brainchild of Harris Development Ltd and isthe ultimate result of a number of plans for a Harris Tweed Centrein Tarbert and elsewhere. The total of £62,500 used for fi tting outthe exhibition came from grants made available for the earlierproject. These came from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Comhairlenan Eilean Siar, the Harris Tweed Authority, and Tighean InnseGall. The building of the centre was made possible by CatherineCampbell and her family, long involved with the Harris Tweed andKnitwear company.The project offi cer responsible for the centre is Joan Cumming,whose offi cial title with HDL is that of Landscape PartnershipManager. Joan has a background with tweed running throughit from the sound of her father's loom which permeated herchildhood. She has worked with the Nature Conservancy Council,Scottish Natural Heritage and the Macaulay Institute in Aberdeen.She was also a project offi cer in Uig and Great Bernera.She emphasises that the centre is free for visitors to enter butwill need donations to keep it able to update the exhibitions overthe years to come. The entrance to the wide range of displays,including a number of screens displaying aspects of Harris Tweed.The entrance is through a doorway surrounded by the corrugatediron of an original weaving shed - but the majority of the display isabout what's happening to the cloth nowadays with static catwalkstyle displays, as well as showcases for the wide range of locallymade Harris Tweed products that are produced nowadays.First visitors get a chance to see round the new Harris Tweed CentreGlorious view from outside the new Harris Tweed Centre(Harris Tweed crafts)27 Achmore, Lochs, Isle of Lewis01851 860551Open April - OctoberMonday and Friday 10:30 to 5pmTuesday, Wednesday, Thursday9:30 to 5pmHandbags, Rugs, Pouffes, Knitwearand lots, lots more

EVENTS SECTION ONE 01/05/13 - 05/06/1318Their RoyalHighnesses thePrince of Walesand the Duchessof Cornwall gracedthe Harris TweedCompany Grosebaywith a visit in2011, celebratingthe centenary ofthe Harris TweedOrb trademark.Prince Charles andCamilla were eachgifted with a lengthof tweed wovenby Donald JohnMackay, which theypersonally stampedin the Grosebayshop.www.hebevents.comA Royal Stampof Approval:Harris Tweed thrivesin GrosebayThe highly prestigious ‘Five Star Tourist Shop’ gradinghas been awarded to the Harris Tweed CompanyGrosebay, on the Isle of Harris, by national touristagency VisitScotland. The top award has been granted inrecognition of the company’s standard of excellence indelivering a unique customer experience in their boutiquestyleshowroom.Situated in a stunning location with a view of the Isle of Skye,the multiple award-winning business created by Mairi Fraser andKatherine Leighton has gone from strength to strength since it wasestablished in 2001.Mairi and Katherine began by designing and offering a distinctiveknitwear collection with a predominantly celtic infl uence, showingtheir fi rst range of garments at the Highland Trade Fair at Aviemoreand winning the 2001 Press & Journal Award for the most innovativesmall business.In 2004, they renovated a derelict building and opened a smallretail outlet selling their knitwear collection and some Harris Tweedclothing. After much customer feedback, the ladies decided tofocus on high-quality fashionable Harris Tweed for both men andwomen, and to open a showroom adjacent to the original shop.Since overseeing the sympathetic restoration of the formerChurch of Scotland Mission House in Grosebay, the ladies havegone on to create a dedicated fashion house within it.Since then the company has fl ourished. A particular highlight wasthe 2011 visit to the shop by the Prince of Wales and Duchess ofCornwall, who were helping to celebrate the centenary of the Orb- the trademark borne by Harris Tweed, the only cloth in the worldwhose birthplace is legally protected.Mairi and Katherine made the decision to focus on tailored clothingmade from high-quality traditional Harris Tweed, woven mainly byDonald John Mackay MBE of Luskentyre – whose weaving shed isonly six miles away from the Grosebay shop. “Customers are oftendelighted after buying a jacket to be able to drive a few miles andmeet the weaver in person,” explains Katherine. “All of the singlewidthtweed we use is Donald John’s own design.”Donald John is himself a great asset to the Grosebay company,

www.hebevents.com 20 /Triumph for Harrgoes global witHTH Creative DirectorMark Hogarth isseen with 11-yearoldRuaridh McDonaldfrom Aviemore, theyoungest star of TheKist which is FionaKennedy's live music,stage productiondirected by awardwinning actor andDirector John Bettand featuring anoutstanding cast.Songs range fromupbeat ancient tribalchants to modern onesby Paulo Nutini and KTTunstall.Canada Gooseand HarrisTweedVintage look… the DJ atthe HighlandHeart event inNew York in a1950s HarrisTweed jacketScots abroad … TVhome design starsColin McAllister,left, and JustinRyan right, withMark Hogarth at theHarris Tweed eventin TorontoSpecial report by KatieMacleod in New Yorkfashion show, a CIA agent andA American adoration: April was aneventful month for Harris Tweed Hebrides,as the Shawbost-based company launcheda new North American marketing strategywith high-profile events in New York andToronto.Central to this strategy is new social mediawebsite, Need For Tweed. Created in cooperationwith New York-based advertising agency LeoBurnett, it was the launch of the Tumblr sitethat the Harris Tweed Hebrides events aimed toemphasise.The one that really set the press abuzz was thelunch where CIA Agent Tony Mendez – played byBen Affleck in the Oscar-winning movie Argo –was guest of honour. Hosted at the Wyeth Hotelin the hip Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, theevent on April 8th saw Mendez presented witha new Harris Tweed jacket as recognition for hiscontribution to the reputation of the brand.Thanks to Mendez, Harris Tweed has reachedOscar-worthy status. In Argo, which won BestFilm at this year’s Academy Awards, Ben Affl eckis seen wearing a grey Harris Tweed jacket duringthe covert CIA operation in Tehran – an accurateimitation of his real-life counterpart.Mendez revealed in a recent interview with theGuardian that he was not the only CIA fan of theHarris Tweed jacket. “That was our uniform,” hetold Washington correspondent Ewen MacAskill,describing the outfi t favoured by the undercoverAmericans who worked against the Soviet Unionduring the Cold War.“Tony and his wife Jonna turned out to bedelightful guests with a genuine enthusiasmfor Harris Tweed,” says Harris Tweed HebridesChairman Brian Wilson, who was in New Yorkfor the festivities. The new blazer will join thefour already hanging in Mendez’s wardrobe –one being the very same grey herring-bone hewore in Iran all those years ago. It was clearly afavourite, as the lining is so worn by use that theweaver’s number on the label is now illegible.These links between Mendez, Harris Tweedand an Oscar-winning movie made for aneven more exciting marketing move for NeedFor Tweed in Manhattan. The site itself isaesthetically appealing, featuring photos of HarrisTweed designs and classic ads of the Clo Mor.“Everything looks better in Tweed” says the site’sfront page, a theme that runs throughout theposts of the products, featuring everything fromTweed earphones (“Music sounds better in HarrisTweed”) to scarves (“your neck looks better inHarris Tweed”).As Brian explains, “it is hoped it will becomea major tool in promoting the fabric, particularlyin North America, by sharing information aboutcurrent use of Harris Tweed as well as vintagematerial about its rich American heritage.”Creative Director Mark Hogarth adds that the siteis already seeing internet success. “It is a veryslick presentation of Harris Tweed and is gaininga big following from within the Tumblr communityand across online media.”The announcement and launch of Need ForTweed tied in neatly with the news that HarrisTweed Hebrides is making a comeback in themainstream American market. “It’s a big stepforward,” says Brian of the company’s biggestAmerican order to date, placed by an undisclosedU.S. store. “The high end deals generate interest,and this cascades down to the high street.” Ormain street, as the Americans prefer to call it.

21is Tweed as styleh movie displayOn the catwalk…the officialScottish-ChinesetartanPicture:Katie MacleodIt’s a similar story in Canada, where HarrisTweed Hebrides recently secured a deal withCanada Goose, a brand known for their stylishoutdoor-wear. “Canada used to be a huge marketfor Harris Tweed but it fell off a cliff in the 1980sand has never come back. Our best recentcollaboration has been with the Canada Goosecompany and we hope this can be repeated,”reveals Brian. “It was cold enough in New Yorkbefore the weather changed but it was absolutelyfreezing in Toronto, even in early April. So thereshould still be a market in Canada for that reasonalone! We have a lot to follow up on.”Present at the Toronto Need For Tweed eventwere guests from the media and fashion worldas well as interior designers and TV presenters,Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan. The two Scots– both fans of Harris Tweed for personal andinterior use - made their name on daytime TVin the UK before crossing the pond to Canada,where they now host their own show on popularhome design channel, HGTV.Back in Manhattan, Colin and Justin provedtheir preference for Scottish textiles by walking therunway at From Scotland With Love, the annualcharity fashion show held during the city’s TartanWeek celebrations. Harris Tweed Hebrides werealso there to make their mark, alongside designsfrom the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Judy RClark and Obscure Couture.Billed as “the biggest and most prestigiousScottish fashion show in the world”, this year’saffair merged Scottish, American and Asianinfl uences. As part of a pivot to the Pacifi c due tothe region’s economic growth, this year’s themewas ‘Scottish Lion Meets The Asian Dragon’ - afi tting formula for a Scottish company with a largeAsian client base, now embarking on an Americanadvertising push.The Asian edge was apparent in the judges’attire, the models on the runway, and the elegantoutfi ts on display. Harris Tweed Hebrides,however, stole the show with their extravagantentrance. After the male models in HarrisTweed coats had strutted down the runway, theyrevealed t-shirts stamped with ‘I love Scotland’;t-shirts that were soon ripped off to reveal barechests emblazoned with Eastern-inspired dragontattoos.“The clothes are presented in a jovial contextso it is best to make an impact at that level,” saysMark, who was the mastermind behind the HarrisTweed Hebrides segment. Mark himself certainlymade an impact - not unlike last year, when hepulled off a pose with a Tunnocks Caramel Wafer.Clad in a grey Glen Isla-Ogilvie Harris Tweedkilt outfi t, Mark danced down the runway, onhis knees as well as his feet, entertaining theonlookers and kissing the hosts on his way out.No-one was going to forget him – or Harris Tweed– in a hurry. “For me that was the obvious andless embarrassing thing to do,” he admits. “If youdevelop a persona then it is easier to do thesethings.”“Harris Tweed is beginning to re-establish itselfin The North American market,” Mark continues.“We try to make an impact at two levels. Firstly wetry to access designers and brands, secondly wetry to get into the consciousness of the consumerand it is here where the 'From Scotland with Love'show and press features are important.”With Need For Tweed, the company isinteracting directly with consumers at all levels,providing a platform where fans can fi nd all thelatest Harris Tweed fashion and design fromacross the globe. The site’s tagline was ringingtrue across America last month: from CIA Agentsto male models and Creative Directors, everythinglooks better in Harris Tweed!EVENTS SECTION ONEWoven by Hand in the Outer Hebrides of ScotlandHarris Tweed Hebrides manufacture the finest range of traditional and contemporary cloth.To view our collection including garments, accessories and interiors visit us in store or on-line.Harris Tweed Hebrides25 North Beach Street, StornowayIsle of Lewis, HS1 2XQ+44(0)1851 700046shop@harristweedhebrides.comwww.harristweedhebrides.comFrank Moir,the formerpresidentand presentmembershipsecretary ofthe St AndrewsSociety ofToronto iskitted outwith a newjacket byMark Hogarthand ColinMcAllister

EVENTS SECTION ONE 01/05/13 - 05/06/1322www.hebevents.comWaulking the tweed portrayed atGearrannan Blackhouse VillageGlaswegian David Eustace worked onminesweepers and as a prison wardenbefore discovering photography. Now he’sbased in New York working with Hollywoodstars and for international clients.Some of his iconic images of the Highlands andIslands formed part of this year’s Scotland Weekcelebrations in New York. David Eustace, who hasphotographed stars such as Sophia Loren and SirPaul McCartney, was holding the show, startingApril 5, at the Hudson Studios in Manhattan.Eustace, whose celebrated portraits of everydayAmericans inspired Tom Brokaw’s USA NetworkHarris Tweed Hebrideschairman Brian Wilson,left, and HTH CreativeDirector Mark Hogarth,right, with Glaswegianphotographer DavidEustacePhoto show in New York highlights Islands and Highlandstelevision series ‘Along Highway 50’, worked inGlasgow’s Barlinnie Prison before making hisname in photography. The free exhibition, calledHighland Heart, was being staged in partnershipwith the Scottish Government and Edinburgh'sNapier University, where Eustace developedhis life-changing photography skills in the early1990s. Since then the Glaswegian’s acclaimedwork has gone on to grace the pages of Vogue,Tatler and GQ. The Highland Heart exhibitioncomes in the offi cial Year of Natural Scotland,dedicated to Scotland’s Great Outdoors – fromstunning landscapes and iconic wildlife to creativeevents and festivals.Artist's view of HarrisTweed world on showJames Bond, CIA Argo agent TonyMendez, George Mallory on Everest -Harris Tweed is a fabric intertwined into ourrecent history. The iconic fabric is beingused in a diverse range of luxury goodsfrom iPad covers, car interiors, bespokefurniture and in vogue with the top fashionhouses in London, Paris and Tokyo.Davy Macdonald is an Edinburgh-based painterspecialising in portraits and fi gurative painting. Hisnew exhibition “Harris Tweed – An InspirationalHeritage” opens in June and celebrates thehistory of the making of Harris Tweed.Portrayed at Gearrannan Blackhouse Village inCarloway and the beautiful lochs in Plocrapool,Macdonald’s work, the new series stemmed fromMacdonald’s previous research into the life of theitinerant Herring Lassies, which led to a sell-outexhibition in March 2012 at the Dundas StreetGallery:This series of paintings depicts the processesthat were used in the creation of Harris Tweed;washing fl eeces, dyeing wool, hand-carding,spinning yarn, warping yarn, weaving andwaulking.Five of the female models (Amy, Shona, Nanan,Kayleigh and Kirsten) are island girls dressedin costumes similar to those worn at the time(researched in the Scottish Life Archive). Oneof the models, Shona Campbell is the niece ofCatherine Campbell who runs the family businessHarris Tweed & Knitwear in Tarbert, who in turn isShawbost-based Harris Tweed Hebrideshas been short-listed in two majorcategories of the UK Fashion and TextileAssociation Awards – Textile Business ofthe Year and Manufacturer of the Year.Three companies from throughout the UK havebeen short-listed in each category. The awardswill be presented by the Princess Royal at aceremony in London.In the Textile Business of the Year, Harris TweedHebrides are named alongside two London-basedcompanies. The other two short-listed companiesin the Manufacturer of the Year category areJohnstons of Elgin and Pantherella, who havebeen making socks in Nottingham for 70 years.Harris Tweed Hebrides chairman, Brian Wilson,said: "This is terrifi c recognition of the hardwork, skills and commitment from everyone atthe grand niece of Marion Campbell (1909-1996).Hundreds of tourists each year would make thethen arduous journey from Tarbert to Plocrapoolto see Marion create Harris Tweed using the oldprocesses – providing a link between past andpresent.An authentic sense of the period is enhancedin Macdonald’s work through the weaving-relatedobjects that feature in the paintings which wereloaned to Macdonald by Catherine Campbell.The dye pot, carding brushes, spinning wheeland warping table were in fact the actual artefactsused by her aunt Marion.Davy Macdonald said: “My vision was torecreate and capture the processes that wereused to create Harris Tweed, some of which aregradually being forgotten. The wonderful thingabout Harris Tweed is, that with the Orb Markand the Harris Tweed Authority as its guardian, ahistoric way of life is protected."Weavers can create unique tweeds in theirown homes in some of the most beautiful placeson this earth. At many times in the past theyhave managed to avoid being herded togetherinto factory complexes, which could then havebeen easily moved anywhere from Dundee toDelhi. It is marvellous to see that Harris Tweedis still appreciated around the world becauseof its inspiring heritage and the fact that it is“Handwoven in the Outer Hebrides”.Harris Tweed – An Inspiring Heritage by DavyMacdonald is on from June 1 - 8 at the DundasStreet Gallery in Edinburgh.Double awards chance for Shawbost firmShawbost over the past fi ve years led by our chiefexecutive, Ian Angus MacKenzie. It will furtherenhance the national and international reputationof our company and of the fabric we produce".At present, Harris Tweed Hebrides employsover 70 people as well as providing work foraround 140 weavers. The company accounts foraround 90 per cent of Orb-stamped Harris Tweedproduction and exports to more than 50 countries.The UKFT Awards are to be held on the 23rdMay, with a black-tie event at One Mayfair, inLondon. This year is set to be their grandest affairyet, including shows of edited collections from allthe nominated designers. UKFT’s chief executiveJohn Miln said of the nominations: ”The entrieswere inspiring and showed us all that the fashionand textile industry is world class and still leadsthe way not only creatively but also commercially.”

www.hebevents.com2301/05/13 - 05/06/13 EVENTS SECTION ONERosie revels in the inspiration of Harris TweedInterview andphotographsby Roz SkinnerBy Rosie provides a welcomeshelter from the sudden rain andI gratefully run inside. I am met witha beaming smile and a warm hellofrom Rosie Wiscombe herself. Rosiehas had her shop for two years and Iwant to know more about her story.Rosie was inspired by a teacher atschool who got her interested in fashionand textiles. By chance, she was laterasked to make bags for a local shop where eshe lived before. "Then it just grew," shesays. "I did craft fairs, started stockingshops. That was about eight years ago. I'mself-taught and it's just been trial and error. r.I suppose it had been a hobby business ssbefore, but when I came here I felt it startedfl ourishing properly."The story of how Rosie came to Stornoway is romantic.She smiles demurely when I ask her about it. "I fell inlove with a Lewis man while travelling in New Zealand.I decided it would be the next step of the adventure tocome here. I brought my business with me and haven'tlooked back."Originally, Rosie's main customers were tourists, butshe is delighted that more locals are coming in. "ThisChristmas was good because the locals know I canmake bespoke items, so they can order something reallyspecial. I try and do something that's a bit different andmaybe with a youthful spin."Rosie gets a lot of her colour inspiration directly fromthe island. She does a lot of hill-walking and is inspiredby anything from a beautiful sunset to moss and lichenson the moor.Rosie's favourite fabric to work with is Harris Tweed."Of all the fabrics I've worked with in my business, theTweed has defi nitely pushed my designs and inspirationsthe furthest. Before I came here, I wasn't that aware ofhow prestigious Harris Tweed was. But as soon as Imoved up, a friend gave me a big bag of remnants andthat's where it all started. Most of my bags at fi rst werequite patchwork, because I was using up the little pieces!"I am in love with Rosie's Liquorice All Sorts lining. Shegrins as I gush about it. "I get quite a few of my liningswhen I'm off the island. I miss fabric shopping and do asmuch as I can when when I'm away."Rosie clearly adores her job, especially when she getsto work with the customers. The absolute highlight for her,however, is making products she loves and discoveringother people love them too. I ask Rosie what creationshe is proudest of. She considers. "Probably the one Iwent away to do a course on..." She holds up a bag. "It'slike an extra-stiffened satchel and you have to use ϋberheavy-duty machinery to make it, using totally differenttechniques to anything I've done before." Rosie has nowpurchased the necessary machinery and hopes to startmaking them this year.There's plenty plans for the future. "I've got mySaturday girls coming back from Uni, and I've takenon another member of staff," Rosie says. "Just for thesummer months so I can keep up with demand. It's niceRosie's favourite creationto be able to employ a couple of local girls as well. I havea range of bags and purses at the airport and at the ferryterminal. That's partly why I'm getting an assistant, so Ican stock these places and make sure they have a nicesupply all the time."Rosie is also organizing a joint open day with CatherineAnn of "Tallulah and Eve" boutique next door. "It's goingto be like a ladies' day, with bubbly, cakes and freebies,just to encourage people to come and browse," Rosietells me. "I want people to come in, with no intention ofbuying, and just have a look at what I've got and enjoy theproducts. On the open day, people can come in with theirfriends, have fun, enjoy the shops and not feel obligatedto buy anything."Plus, some of the young people involved with theHarris Tweed industry are in the very early stages oforganizing a fashion show. "We're looking to put on thisbig fashion show in July," Rosie confi des. "It should bea big celebration of the cloth itself, hopefully getting bignames involved, as well as local talent."Rosie also has plans for a new student discount. "Itwould be lovely to get more of that age group to come inand see what I've got, so I'm going to introduce a 15%discount," she says.I have a hard job tearing myself away from Rosie's shop.As I prepare to go, Rosie eyes my bag with interest. "Thatwould look good in Tweed," she murmurs. "Hmmm..."By Rosie’ and ‘Tallulah & Eve’would like to invite you to aLadies day!Saturday 18 th May from 11amCome and browse withbubbly and cupcakes!Free gift for every customerand 10% off everything!www.byrosie.co.uk0786772744793 CromwellStreetStornowayHS1 2DGOpen 10-5!!nowoffering15%studentdiscount!!

EVENTS SECTION ONE 01/05/13 - 05/06/1324www.hebevents.comWorld-wide sales forhandbags from CarlowayMade in Britain is often classed as a benchmark forquality. Couple that with ‘handmade in the Hebrides’and you have the ethos behind Carloway-based handbagbusiness Rarebird. Everything – the Harris Tweed, thehandbags, and even the ceramic buttons – are handmaderight here in the Western Isles.“We give a lot of time, care and attention to detail to the designs,”says Paulette Brough, the designer behind Rarebird, which she runswith her husband Steven. It was back in 2007 that Rarebird beganlife in a tiny bedroom, says Paulette, growing fi rst to fi ll a cottageand then becoming big enough to require its current studio on thewest side of Lewis. Paulette had designed a Harris Tweed handbagfor herself, and soon everyone who saw it wanted one of their own.“There is a love of Harris Tweed, people really love it,” Pauletteexplains. “Tweed is so varied. There’s a great depth of colour in it,as it’s dyed in the wool and made into yarn afterwards. It takes onthe colours of the landscape, and you can see where the inspirationhas come from.”Rarebird bags are so successful that some require waiting lists.Also on offer in the Carloway studio are exquisite Harris Tweedaccessories, shawls and neckwear.These are available in the Carloway studio and online, as well asin shops throughout Scotland. Rarebird designs can be found inthe Harris Tweed Hebrides store in Stornoway, while other Rarebirdofferings are available at the British Museum in London and inNational Trust outlets across the country.While locations like these are at Rarebird’s core, Paulette alsoprovides corporate products. These include Harris Tweed golf shoebags, things for trade missions and international conferences, andeven government initiatives aiming to promote British industry.Widely respected for its uniqueness and quality, Rarebird reachescustomers as far afi eld as Europe, North America and Asia, securingparticular popularity in Japan where Paulette is often invited over tohelp present her products at the annual British Trade Fair in Osaka.“It’s an absolutely fantastic place,” says Paulette of the upmarketHankyu Department Store where the British Trade Fair is held. Lastseason saw her designs for sale at the prestigious Brooks Brothersstore in Manhattan, only a year after Rarebird’s catwalk debut atNew York’s Dressed To Kilt fashion show.New tweed treats are coming soon from Rarebird, as Pauletteworks on a new collection of messenger-style bags – “people arealways asking for them” – and lined scarves in a selection of colours.Paulette Brough in her Carloway workshopShe is also returning to her roots as a ladieswear designer, creatinga selection of Harris Tweed skirts.Since it fi rst took fl ight six years ago, Rarebird - named after therarely-seen island corncrake - has grown wings. It’s a journey thatdoesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.HEB MagazineAn earlier version of the article aboveappears in this year's HEB Magazine, theonly glossy magazine about the OuterHebrides. This year HEB is combined withits sister publication, The Skye Magazine,to bring you 120 pages of colourfulinsights and views of the Hebrides, fromVatersay to Raasay! HEB is available fromshops across the Western Isles and Skye.Kilt byDiggoryBrown

www.hebevents.comMairi makesher markin fashionmagazinesas sales goglobal2501/05/13 - 05/06/13 EVENTS SECTION ONEBy Taylor EdgarWhen she launched her part time business less thana year ago, Mairi Smith could hardly have dreamther Harris Tweed products would soon be appearing inmagazines like Vogue and Tatler.To Mairi’s surprise, Harris Tweed Boutique’s initial productline has very quickly tapped into an international market fori-Pad, Mac and Kindle covers and is now regularly fulfillingorders for customers across the UK and as far afield asRussia, Japan and North America.While friends and family are getting excited by all theattention her business is attracting - Harris Tweed Boutique’snext high profile mention is in the June editions of Esquire andTatler magazines - Mairi is taking it all in her stride.What is all the more surprising is that Mairi had not useda sewing machine since school and so experienced a steeplearning curve in re-learning her childhood skills in seeking toprovide a handy bit of extra income for the family. But withinweeks her hand-crafted scarves and computer accessorieswere flying out the door through word of mouth and onlinesales.The instant success has taken her by surprise, as herbackground is not exactly what you would expect for anartisan in Harris Tweed. For Mairi works part time as an ITSupport Engineer and has a degree in Engineering, which isnot the normal career path within the industry.Nevertheless, her handiwork is finding fans worldwide andis due to be boosted further thanks to her company’s exposurein the glossies. This is good news but it remains a challengein meeting the growing demands of juggling work and lookingafter her two primary age kids.Originally from Knock in Point, Mairi is taking thingscautiously for now and not getting too carried away as shecopes with a growing order book for everything from gadgetcovers to hip flasks, passport covers, scarves, cushions,cufflinks, corsages and coasters.After selling initially on e-Bay to test the market, Mairilaunched her own Harris Tweed Boutique web site and is nowalso selling via Etsy, the Hebridean Store, and Two Red Trees.These are online shops specialising in high quality hand madeproducts.In Mairi’s view: “The attention from Tatler and Vogue is veryflattering. I didn’t approach them as it wouldn’t enter my headto do so. When I asked them how they found me they said thatthey put a lot of research into who they contact and apparentlyvet hundreds of websites and companies. They said I had avery unique product and thought the tablet and e-reader coverswere lovely and would make a great addition to an upcomingfeature they had planned. My iPad cover subsequentlyappeared in Vogue ‘s ‘Techno Chic’ feature, a definitive guidefor the very best luxury gadgets and accessories”.She went on: “I have since been contacted by Esquire andmy iPad cover is appearing in a Father’s Day feature in theJune edition. Men’s Health and Marie Claire have also beenon the phone but I have had to tell them to hold off for a fewmonths to ensure I do not over-commit myself. I never thoughtI’d be putting such well known brands off, but I know I mustmanage demand for my products, given my limited time forcrafting.”Displays from recent editions of Vogue and Tatler showing the impact of Harris Tweed BoutiqueAt the moment she is successfully keeping on top of herorders, but can never find enough time to build up stock. It isa remarkable state of affairs as Mairi concedes: “What I finddifficult is putting myself out there. I am very hesitant whenit comes to promoting myself.” Evidently her top end handmadeHarris Tweed products are doing the talking for her.

EVENTS SECTION ONE 01/05/13 - 05/06/1326www.hebevents.comHarris Tweed 2013: EVENTS special reportFlowers in MayMAY 2009An extract from IanLawson's new book 'FromThe Land Comes The Cloth'relating to the picture right,one of 280 in the book‘There’ll just be ourselves, a cargo ofsheep and lambs – and the Coit.’ JohnnieBuchanan of Valtos in the Isle of Lewispoints to the royal blue boat bobbing gentlyin the water, flashing her underskirts of redand white. I ask him what the name meansand he shrugs his shoulders. ‘She’s alwaysbeen called that,’ he says, ‘for as long asanyone can remember.’ I arrange to returnearly the following morning when Johnnieand his son Calum George will ferry theirstock to summer grazings on the island ofPabay Mòr.Parking my car by the small harbour nextmorning, I see little islands in the distance,detached from the mainland of Lewis by apeacock-blue stretch of water. An unseenhand was lifting the pearly ribbons of sea-mistfrom the Kyles of Pabay–a slow revelationof beauty for which there are no adequatewords.Below the harbour wall, Johnnie is alreadywaiting in the Coit. ‘Good morning Ian,’ hecalls up to me, ‘a good flat day for ferrying.’As he prepares to load his stock, Johnnie tellsme that the Coit was a sailing boat before histime, fast, with a white sail, ‘A beauty whenJoining forces to produce ‘From the Land Comes the Cloth’By Taylor Edgarself confessed cheerleader for HarrisA Tweed and one of the UK’s toplandscape photographers have joinedforces to produce a stunning new largeformat photography book charting the CloMor and its intertwined connection with thelandscape.Photographer, Ian Lawson launched ‘From theLand Comes the Cloth’ at The Bays CommunityCentre with wordsmith, Alison O’Neill, withwhom he collaborated previously to produce adocumentary book on her life as a shepherdessin Cumbria.Both are ardent fans of Harris Tweed and theislands, with O’Neill falling in love with the fabricat the age of 12 when she received her fi rsthacking jacket - which she still owns.Lawson’s fascination with Harris Tweed cameabout after he first travelled to the Outer Hebridesin search of its famous light for his landscapedocumentary photography. After many tripsdocumenting the landscape he clearly saw theunbreakable and intimate links between theland and weaver. It was while watching a croftergathering his sheep in Harris that inspiration struck.Comments Lawson: “As I watched his fl ockof white wool scampering towards him up thegrassy slopes the landscape unexpectedly cameto life. It caught my eye, excited my mind and avital connection was made. Land, shepherds andsheep – they cooperated with an impassionedsense of timing and order...I soon found myselfalight with inspiration and set about documentingthe land at work. The story of wool to weaverprovided me with a way in to a culture of whichshe was newly tarred and painted’ and thisjetty was his childhood playground. Very fewsummer days passed without the opportunityfor sailing, swimming or fishing. It was theideal place to catch cuddies and crabs. For aboy like Johnnie, it was the best place to learnthe rhythm of the sea. He is proud and happythat Calum George has chosen a crofting lifelike his father and grandfather before him.I had little previous knowledge or experience. Icame to think of Harris Tweed not as a productbut as a process, encompassing and illustratingan entire way of life.”Now some seven years in the making, the bookis ready to hit the bookshelves and the launchparty, with entertainment by The Sea Atlas, is asmuch a thank you to all those who have helped inthe creative process as it is a book launch.Encapsulating his latest self published book,Lawson says: “‘From the Land Comes the Cloth’Under the watchful eyes of sheepdogs, theewes are boarded first. Then, one by one,Johnnie passes the lambs to Calum Georgewho carefully places the bleating bundlesinto the Coit. Every so often a nervous lambleaps overboard in blind panic. As fast as thelambs go over, the shepherds fish them out.Soon all the sheep and lambs are loaded andwe’re ready for the off, the Coit sitting low inis about the relationship between land and sea,man and nature; a photographic journey ofdiscovery portraying a singular island landscape.For me this represents how my story, my journey,was but a moment in time. How even though itwas such a cherished and incredibly rewardingtime in my life, it was a moment in time alreadypassed. And it felt wonderful to have captured it.Bound it. Shared it.”Speaking to EVENTS in advance of the Harrislaunch of the book, O’Neill, who is shortly tolaunch her own self-designed range of HarrisTweed outdoor wear and dresses, said she hadbeen thrilled to be asked to provide the text: “Itwas really exciting thing to be asked to do. And itwas a good excuse to return to such a beautifulplace like the Western Isles.”Downplaying her contribution as “very humble”,the shepherdess who has a collection of 50Harris Tweed jackets and wears the cloth everyday of her life, explained giving voice to Lawson’sthoughts was “such a joy”. The experience ofbeing part of the book for the past three yearshad shown that her life in her Cumbrian hill sheepfarm was not so far removed from that of croftersin the islands. In total, she chose some 16,000words to convey Lawson’s thoughts on the 280full colour images and his various encounterswith weavers and croftersTo a large extent her involvement was a logicalnext step having worked with the photographerbefore and being well known as an avid advocateof the versatile and hard wearing Harris Tweed.Indeed her love of the cloth is somethingthe multi-talented O’Neill promotes at everyopportunity. For as well as sheep farming, shealso regularly works in radio and TV, and conductsthe water. Trying to keep my balance, I pickmy way through the floating flock and endup sharing some bow space with the lambs.‘Welcome aboard, travel at your own risk!’shouts Johnnie, and we push off into the calmwaters of the Kyles of Pabay. Out at sea, theflock falls silent. Fresh, cooling sea watersprays my face while my legs are kept warmagainst a press of lambs.guided walks throughout Cumbria, the LakeDistrict and Harris, wearing her signature HarrisTweed outfi ts. More recently she also managed toengage Rory Bremner in an extended chat aboutHarris Tweed when she appeared in his new TVtravel show, Rory Bremner’s Great British Views.But as she put the fi nishing touches on the booklaunch party being attended by those who hadhelped with the book, O’Neill was also preparingfor the big reveal of her Harris Tweed clothingrange at Morven Gallery in Barvas, Lewis whichwas also hosting a book launch event on May 11.The clothes range had come about as a resultof people continually seeing her in Harris Tweed,not for any kind of fashion statement but sheerpracticality. From these casual enquiries abouther dress sense grew a complete range offashionable outdoor clothes and dresses bearingher Shepherdess brand.O’Neill is invariably dressed in Harris Tweed,no matter the occasion, fi nding the fabricextremely wearable whether going out to gatherin sheep or go out to dinner. From boots to hatsshe has a Harris Tweed garment or accessory tosuit every occasion.She adds: “I would do just about anythingto support Harris Tweed. I try to promote it ineverything I do whether it is on the farm, walkingdown to the shops or on my TV and radioappearances.“As I cloth I absolutely love it. My Harris Tweedclothing range is exciting, it’s something I havewanted to do for so long. Like so many thingsit has all been about money and time. Finally,investment and opportunity came along and theShepherdess Harris Tweed range was born.”