News Release: Immediate Release             

From Trad to Plaid: New Ways with Tartan

October 2012 sees the textile accessories of Lesley Thornton’s ‘Crimson’ label on display at Concrete Wardrobe for this month’s Maker of the Month exhibition.

Lesley Thornton studied Textile Design at the Scottish College of Textiles. After graduating in 1984, she worked in theatre wardrobe at The Byre Theatre and The Royal Opera House, before going on to design and produce textile accessories for a number of fabric designers. Thornton now produces textile work under her own label 'Crimson'.

Working from her garden studio in the lee of the Ochil Hills, Thornton’s mission is to make fabulous things from beautiful fabric. An experienced kiltmaker of 13 years, she was inspired whilst working with traditional Scottish tartans to use them in new and unusual ways. This started her range of contemporary tartan 'jewellery'.

Thornton’s exhibition will include new designs and colourways of her ever popular tartan jewellery – intricate twists and knots in the brightest plaids, and a flock of exotic tartan 'Burdies'; fashion accessories in an eclectic mix of tartan and vintage fabrics. Thornton describes this exhibition as “an exciting opportunity to showcase my new work at one of Edinburgh's most vibrant exponents of contemporary Scottish design.”

Fiona McIntosh, Co-owner of Concrete Wardrobe comments, “Crimson is always popular with locals and visitors to Edinburgh alike. Thornton’s designs use traditional Scottish imagery to create new, exciting and contemporary pieces you just want to pick up and wear.”

Crimson will be on display at Concrete Wardrobe from 1^st to 31st October 2012.

New Opening Hours: Concrete Wardrobe is open Monday to Saturday 11am to 7pm. Sunday 12 to 5pm.

Concrete Wardrobe 50a Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3SA

ENDS

PR: Katherine Emtage. Co-Owners: James Donald and Fiona McIntosh