Fashion graduate designs show-stopping outfit for Miss Scotland

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A Heriot-Watt graduate was chosen to design Miss Scotland's dress for the Miss World finals in China, recently.

Amy Johnston, a recent graduate from the University's Fashion and Textile School was chosen to create a glamorous outfit for newly-crowned Romy McCahill.

The young designer was cherry-picked by Galashiels based cashmere brand, Sinclair Duncan, who have strong links with the University.

The brief was to use Miss Scotland tartan cloth designed and woven by Tartan Weaving Mill in Edinburgh and fashion it into an outfit that would showcase Scottish Style and heritage.

After contacting the University's careers department, looking for a number of graduates to pitch their ideas, the cashmere company chose Amy Johnstone to make her design a reality.

Speaking about her design, Amy Johnstone said: “I'm really proud of my design and can't believe it featured on the world stage with an audience of billions.

“It was an exciting and daunting project to work on, but I got there in the end and it was a great experience to showcase my fashion design skills and talent.”

Milngavie-born Romy McCahill took the crown in August this year and travelled to China at the end of November to compete against contestants from all over the world for the coveted title of Miss World.

Romy said: "Competing in Miss World in China was an incredible experience and something that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I was honoured and overwhelmed to be able to introduce the first official Miss Scotland tartan and fell in love instantly with Amy' s contemporary and beautiful take on the traditional Scottish kilt. I received so many compliments on the design and colours.

“Standing on the Miss World stage in my costume, representing my country in front of millions of people all over the world, is a moment I will never forget and a dream come true." 

Debbie Paterson, Sales and Marketing Director at Sinclair Duncan, added: “The standard of the designers we asked to participate was really high and all of them interpreted the brief in their own unique and creative way.  

“It is truly encouraging to know that these young designers from Heriot-Watt are at the forefront of not only the Scottish fashion industry but are also able to compete on the world stage.”