Scottish designer takes up residence at Saks Fifth Avenue

GlobalScot Textiles Success!

Saks Fifth Avenue have selected Edinburgh-based designer, Peter Johnston, to introduce his distinct made-to-measure clothing as well as shirts, handmade silk ties and accessories to the US market.

The introduction of Saks to the Scottish textiles offering via Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International was made by GlobalScot Alan Bain in New York.

This unique partnership was formed after an extensive search for a designer who could bring traditional British tailoring with a modern interpretation of style to its customers, in response to the surge in demand for such products stateside.

Bringing the added benefit of using fabrics steeped in a luxury heritage such as the world-renowned tweed, and working with a number of Scottish mills including Begg Scotland, Johnstons of Elgin and Reid & Taylor to create his collections, Johnston was an ideal choice.

With an extensive career in the trade, the London Royal College of Art graduate currently operates a 'by appointment' business from his townhouse showrooms in Queen Street, Edinburgh.

He will bring this added mystique in-store to Saks Fifth Avenue New York, as well as the Chicago and Washington D.C. (Chevy Chase) outlets, travelling over once a month for private appointments.

This new partnership adds to Johnston's growing international reputation which spans across the globe including his current partnership with Japanese clothing group, Onward Kashiyama. For the past six years Johnston has created classic tailored collections for discerning Japanese customers housed in six Isetan specialist menswear stores across the country.

David Breckenridge, chair of industry group Textiles Scotland, said: “Peter Johnston’s partnership with one of the USA’s leading specialty stores is a fantastic achievement, which can only benefit us all.

The fact that discerning US customers have expressed a need and a want for tailored garments using quality fabrics can only lead to even more opportunities for Scottish mills and designers in this market.

"This is another prime example of the continuing global demand for Scottish textiles which heralds an exciting time for our industry.”