‘Women of the Crown’ Fashion Show
Last night (7th February), the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle hosted its first ever fashion show, 'Woman of the Crown'. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and award-winning American fashion designer, Jeff Garner of Prophetik, played tribute to the original Royal fashion icon - Mary Queen of Scots.
HES, "the lead public body charged with caring for, protecting and promoting the historic environment", struck up a relationship with Jeff Garner after meeting by chance at the Dresses to Kilt even in Houston, Texas. Jeff, who has previous designed red carpet outfits for the likes of Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus, was inspired to weave the history of Scotland into his new collection, of which HES was happy to provide plenty of inspiration.
Inspired by Mary Queen of Scots, the catwalk showcased the exclusive collection for the first time before moving on to London Fashion Week (15th - 19th February). HES has also launched a new range of products inspired by the Queen.
Throughout the evening, there was an array of unique Scottish suppliers and brands in the neighbouring Queen Anne Room, which all featured within the show - Knockando Woolmill was honoured to be apart of this.
12 facts about Mary, Queen of Scots
One of the most famous and controversial rulers in Scottish History, Mary became Queen of Scots at only six days old after the passing of her father, James V, King of Scotland.
Mary Queen of Scots, also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I of Scotland is most notorious for plotting against Queen Elizabeth I to steal the throne.
Climaxing in 1586 with the Babington assassination plot (named after one of the co-conspirators, Anthony Babington), Elizabeth's ministers demanded Mary's execution after it was revealed that she authorised the assassination.
Mary was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle on the 8th of February 1587 at the age of 44.
Below are 12 facts about the Scottish Queen.
1. Mary was born at Linlithgow Palace on 8 December 1542 to a French mother, Mary of Guise, and Scottish father, King James V of Scotland.
2. She was crowned Queen of Scotland in 1543 at Stirling Castle.
3. Mary was an eager golfer - she was the first female to play the sport in Scotland.
4. Mary was skilled in falconry, poetry, prose, needlecraft & horsemanship.
5. Besides speaking Scots, Mary was naturally fluent in French and also spoke Italian, Latin, Greek and Spanish.
6. Mary was married three times: Francis, King of France (1558-60); Lord Darnley (1565-67) and the Earl of Bothwell (1567-78).
7. White was worn for mourning in 16th century France. Mary liked the colour white and overlooked tradition to wear it for her wedding.
8. When her husband inherited the throne and became Francois II, she briefly became the Queen of France. Less than two years later, Francis died of an ear condition.
9. Despite Mary's title Queen of Scots, she actually spent more of her life in Sheffield, England.
10. During WWII, the Nazis made a propaganda movie about Mary’s life called Das Herz der Konigin.
11. Many washed her face in white wine to keep her skin smooth, soft, and wrinkle-free.
12. There have been several attempts to have Mary glorified as a Catholic saint. However, all attempts have been ruined by the fact that there is still no definite proof either way as to whether she was involved with the murder of her second husband Henry, Lord Darnley, in 1567.
Disclaimer: These photos belong to Historic Environment Scotland / Historic Scotland.