US Retailer Saks Fifth Avenue Launches Official Tartan

Scottish Textiles Shine in Saks Fifth Avenue New York.

[New York ] - November 8, 2011 - Prestigious New York department store Saks Fifth Avenue has launched its very own tartan to kick off a special "Best of Scotland" celebration this week marking its long-standing affiliation with Scottish textiles.

The new black-and-white plaid tartan was developed exclusively with the Scottish Tartans Authority, under the guidance of Brian Wilton - one of the world's leading tartan designers - and is now officially registered and certified as the Saks Fifth Avenue Tartan.

Wilton created a distinctive square pattern reflecting the iconic Saks logo and the design or 'sett' used in the tartan worn by the 79th New York Regiment - also known as the Highland Guard - who were a common sight parading the streets of New York in the 1860's in their distinctive tartan 'trews', when the founder of Saks opened his first store.

Saks Fifth Avenue Tartan Scarf.

"Saks Fifth Avenue's heritage is inextricably bound to that of New York, and its house plaid honours that by modernising and image that Andrew Saks and his fellow New Yorkers would have known well in 1867, when the Saks empire was founded" said Wilton, who was invited to New York to share the history of tartan, its importance to the world and the opportunities that the new tartan would offer to the retailer's staff.

He added: "We worked with Saks to research and create an enduring design that truly connected with its own history. Marching through the streets of the city in that turbulent Civil War period would have been the famous 79th New York Highland Regiment, whose members wore the historic Cameron of Erracht tartan. It is that plaid with a contemporary twist that celebrates the Saks of today and highlights its own durability as a leader in fashion retailing. What better example of this endurance than a stunning tartan."

The world-famous retailer has used the tartan to produce a variety of products such as scarves, rain boots and jackets which are currently being showcased in the windows of the retailer's flagship New York store.

Eric Jennings, Vice President and Men's Fashion Director at Saks said: "We travelled to Scotland last year and hand-picked the finest cashmere and tweed for the Saks Fifth Avenue Men's Collection. While touring the mills, we were reminded of how the Scots combine phenomenal craftsmanship with innovative techniques to produce stunning textiles."

This week will also see award-winning Edinburgh-based tailor and menswear designer Peter Johnston bring his ready-to-wear, made-to-measure and bespoke designs exclusively to three of Saks Fifth Avenue's top stores - New York, Chicago and Chevy Chase.

Brian Wilton Scottish Tartans Authority with the new Saks Tartan. All photos courtesy of www.textilescotland.com

"Saks Fifth Avenue is one of more than 200 leading retailers and fashion labels that come to Scotland season after season to develop new textile products and work closely with Scottish mills to enhance their brands," said Danny Cusick, President, Americas, Scottish Development International.

"We are delighted that one of America's most venerable retailers is showcasing the best of Scottish textiles as we head into the holiday season," added Cusick.

Scottish Textiles

Saks Fifth Avenue