Latest news with #DressedToKilt
Sunday Post
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday Post
Beauty competition means world to Miss Scotland Amy Scott as she conquers painful shyness
Get a weekly round-up of stories from The Sunday Post: Thank you for signing up to our Sunday Post newsletter. Something went wrong - please try again later. Sign Up Having overcome her once crippling shyness, Amy Scott is preparing to fly out to India this week to represent Scotland at Miss World. 'Competing in Miss World is like a dream,' said the reigning Miss Scotland, from Strathaven in Lanarkshire. 'I really lacked confidence when I was younger, so this is something I had never seen on the cards for myself. 'As someone who was once painfully shy, it might not seem like the obvious path, but Miss World isn't just about beauty, it's about confidence, strength, and using your voice for something bigger than yourself. 'I've learned that self-worth isn't about fitting into a perfect mould, it's about embracing who you are.' © Supplied Amy also recently made her catwalk debut at Dressed To Kilt – a fashion show at New York's Tartan Week to showcase designers such as Totty Rocks and Spencer Railton. 'Being dressed up makes me feel like a million dollars and that combined with the fact it helps to draw attention to such important causes as raising money for a worthwhile cause is something I'm grateful to experience,' said the 25-year-old, who has raised thousands of pounds for the MS Society. The Miss World competition has revamped its image since it began in 1951, placing more emphasis on contestants' charitable efforts and ditching the swimwear contest in 2014 in favour of a fitness competition. To prepare for the event on May 31, Amy has been receiving lessons at the crack of dawn to learn the 'Miss World walk' – how to walk elegantly in high heels. 'It's not as easy as it looks, there's definitely a technique to it that doesn't always come naturally,' she smiled. 'I have a coach in the Philippines and because of the time difference, I take lessons at 5am. 'I've always loved wearing heels but with this style of walking I'm a bit like Bambi on ice, especially in an evening gown. 'My coach kindly pointed out that my technique 'needs a little work'. It's all part of the fun, and I'm learning to embrace every step along the way.' © Supplied Amy also tried on some of the elegant gowns she'll be wearing for the eveningwear competition, and showed them off in a photo shoot at Glasgow University's cloisters and the City Chambers. 'I absolutely love getting all dressed up. I feel like a Barbie sometimes because in my day-to-day life it's just not something I ever do,' added Amy, who has recently returned from working in Dubai as an estate agent. 'Now I can't wait to represent Scotland on such a grand stage.'
The Independent
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Daniel Penny walks the catwalk at event titled ‘Dressed to Kilt' in New York City
Just a few months after being acquitted of the criminally negligent homicide of Jordan Neely, a mentally ill Black man, after putting him in a chokehold on a crowded train, Daniel Penny modeled on a catwalk in an event titled 'Dressed to Kilt.' Penny, 26, appeared at the show in Manhattan on the night of April 5. Dr. Geoffrey Scott Carroll, the founder and chairman of Dressed to Kilt, explained his reasons for featuring Penny in the show exclusively to The Independent. 'Daniel Penny was invited to walk in the show in recognition of his service as a U.S. Marine and the values he represents. His presence aligns with this year's tribute to the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps, and we were honored to have him represent the branch.' 'We honor the commendation he received from the U.S. Marine Corps League and respect their decision to award him the 'Semper Fidelis' honor. Dressed to Kilt has long been a proud supporter of the Navy SEAL Foundation, and we continue to welcome and celebrate veterans from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces as part of our commitment to honoring service and sacrifice.' Dressed To Kilt was co-founded in 2003 by Dr Carroll and the late Sir Sean Connery. The recent show took place in The Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York on April 5. The New York Post reports that Penny walked to the sound of Bonnie Tyler's 'Holding Out for a Hero.' The site noted that Carroll introduced the former Marine as a 'hero.' 'Far from being a villain, this man was a hero to all the inhabitants of that subway car,' Carroll said. '[Penny] leaped into action as a passenger on a subway car when a potential assailant started threatening women, children and elderly people with a knife,' he added. An anonymous Manhattan jury cleared Penny of a criminally negligent homicide charge in the death of Neely, 30, in December 2024. The jury had deadlocked last week on a more serious manslaughter charge, which was dismissed. 'I'll take a million court appearances and people calling me names and people hating me, just to keep one of those people from getting hurt or killed,' Daniel Penny told Fox News in a clip that aired a day after the verdict. Meanwhile, scores of New Yorkers protested the trial outcome, holding signs and chanting Neely's name in a Manhattan square. 'Yes, he was acting erratically. But personally, I don't believe being mentally unwell and being homeless is a crime worthy of death,' said one of the organizers, Sean Blackmon. Penny, who served four years in the Marines, put Neely in a chokehold for about six minutes after Neely had an outburst that frightened riders on a subway car on May 1, 2023. Penny is white. Neely was Black.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Construction worker turned kiltmaker to light up New York City catwalks
A former Ayrshire construction worker who designed the first tartan to journey into the cosmos is preparing to illuminate the catwalks of New York City. Graeme Bone, from Auchinleck, has designed and produced five outfits for the Dressed To Kilt fashion show, a highlight of New York's Tartan Week celebrations next month. Commissioned by Dressed To Kilt organiser Dr Geoffrey Scott Carroll, the designs will grace the runway on stars including Ayrshire singer and 2011 Britain's Got Talent winner, Jai McDowall. 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. 'That blew me away. It is an astounding chance for me and hopefully it could be a pivotal point in my career. '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 Scottishness,' he said. 'With Graeme's outfits, me with my Tarbolton roots, and the Ayrshire choir Songs For All all taking part, it will be a proper celebration of Ayrshire as well. 'It will be a proud moment when we all step out to strut our stuff.' Mr Bone also reflected on the support he received as he embarked on his career change, giving particular credit to the King, whom he has kept updated as his career has blossomed. 'I find him to be an amazing man – he's so genuinely interested in giving opportunities to people who would otherwise have no access to them,' Mr Bone said. 'I'm so glad I've had the chance to be able to think bigger than myself. Being told by His Majesty that he's proud of me makes me feel like I've come further than my younger self could have ever thought possible. 'Growing up in Auchinleck, Dumfries House was just down the road. We used to fish on the river and pinch apples to make cider from the ancient orchard. 'It felt pretty surreal, years on, to be sat behind a sewing machine chatting to HRH Prince of Wales.' The fashion designer added that studying at Dumfries House equipped him with practical skills, but its 'real value has been in the doors it's opened up for me'. He went on: 'I had the chance to meet so many inspirational people from the fashion industry, which boosted my confidence and helped me focus on what my end goal could be.' Dressed To Kilt was co-founded in 2003 by Dr Carroll and the late Sir Sean Connery, and takes place in The Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York on April 5.
The Independent
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Construction worker turned kiltmaker set to light up New York City catwalks
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. 'That blew me away. It is an astounding chance for me and hopefully it could be a pivotal point in my career. '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 Scottishness,' he said. 'With Graeme's outfits, me with my Tarbolton roots, and the Ayrshire choir Songs For All all taking part, it will be a proper celebration of Ayrshire as well. 'It will be a proud moment when we all step out to strut our stuff.' Mr Bone also reflected on the support he received as he embarked on his career change, giving particular credit to the King, whom he has kept updated as his career has blossomed. 'I find him to be an amazing man – he's so genuinely interested in giving opportunities to people who would otherwise have no access to them,' Mr Bone said. 'I'm so glad I've had the chance to be able to think bigger than myself. Being told by His Majesty that he's proud of me makes me feel like I've come further than my younger self could have ever thought possible. 'Growing up in Auchinleck, Dumfries House was just down the road. We used to fish on the river and pinch apples to make cider from the ancient orchard. 'It felt pretty surreal, years on, to be sat behind a sewing machine chatting to HRH Prince of Wales.' The fashion designer added that studying at Dumfries House equipped him with practical skills, but its 'real value has been in the doors it's opened up for me'. He went on: 'I had the chance to meet so many inspirational people from the fashion industry, which boosted my confidence and helped me focus on what my end goal could be.' Dressed To Kilt was co-founded in 2003 by Dr Carroll and the late Sir Sean Connery, and takes place in The Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York on April 5.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Construction worker turned kiltmaker set to light up New York City catwalks
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. 'That blew me away. It is an astounding chance for me and hopefully it could be a pivotal point in my career. '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 Scottishness,' he said. 'With Graeme's outfits, me with my Tarbolton roots, and the Ayrshire choir Songs For All all taking part, it will be a proper celebration of Ayrshire as well. 'It will be a proud moment when we all step out to strut our stuff.' Mr Bone also reflected on the support he received as he embarked on his career change, giving particular credit to the King, whom he has kept updated as his career has blossomed. 'I find him to be an amazing man – he's so genuinely interested in giving opportunities to people who would otherwise have no access to them,' Mr Bone said. 'I'm so glad I've had the chance to be able to think bigger than myself. Being told by His Majesty that he's proud of me makes me feel like I've come further than my younger self could have ever thought possible. 'Growing up in Auchinleck, Dumfries House was just down the road. We used to fish on the river and pinch apples to make cider from the ancient orchard. 'It felt pretty surreal, years on, to be sat behind a sewing machine chatting to HRH Prince of Wales.' The fashion designer added that studying at Dumfries House equipped him with practical skills, but its 'real value has been in the doors it's opened up for me'. He went on: 'I had the chance to meet so many inspirational people from the fashion industry, which boosted my confidence and helped me focus on what my end goal could be.' Dressed To Kilt was co-founded in 2003 by Dr Carroll and the late Sir Sean Connery, and takes place in The Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York on April 5.
