The annual Ragtag and Textile fashion show returned to Kyleakin Hall, Skye on the afternoon of November 11.
Ragtag and Textile is a well-known charity based in Broadford, from where it has its second-hand clothes and reuse shop, workshops and training centre.
The aim of Ragtag is to enhance and sustain the environment by recycling textiles – diverting this waste from landfill sites and creating new products using traditional hand-crafted techniques.
In addition, the charity aims to reduce the stigma attached to mental health issues by adopting a policy of inclusion whereby the whole community can be involved in the project, raising awareness about mental health, disability, discrimination and environmental issues.
Throughout the year Ragtag has been running Monday ‘Make Do and Mend’ workshops open to the public to learn new skills including visible mending, the Japanese art of reinforcing and repairing clothing called Sashiko, wet and dry felting and earring making.
The project is funded by the Highland Community Waste Partnership which also funded the tutor time for extra workshops necessary to make the fashion with donations from local businesses, the public and from local reuse projects such as ‘Waste Not Wednesday’ at Torrin.
Ragtag students have upcycled textiles and clothes using an array of techniques, including dying cloth and embroidery.
The results of their efforts were showcased at the fashion show, where models strutted their stuff on the catwalk modelling casual and formal wear, ball gowns and bridal wear.
Lorayne McLucas Performance Academy (LMPA) students got a chance to experience
costume design by making their own earrings which were shown off to maximum effect at the Fashion show during three dance performances.
Models from Ragtag, Kyleakin Connections, LMPA, Kyle Reuse and Recycle Hub, Kyle of Lochalsh Community Trust and Amelia, 14 months, and from as far away as Stornoway showed off the upcycled, made from scratch and preloved outfits to the large crowd.
Siusaidh was the show’s commentator who gave an informative and amusing
narrative on how each outfit had come about, such as a suit made from a tablecloth, dungarees from a duvet set, a stunning lit up skirt from net curtains and how the male models gave a certain swish to their kilts.
Trustees from Ragtag were wearing poppy fabric dresses they had made to mark that it
was Armistice day.
Mo Mcquarrie got audience members into an open line dancing lesson to get people moving after the excellent afternoon tea.
Thanks go to all the volunteers from the organisations who worked so hard behind the scenes, especially Morag for the catering.
Euan Bruce provided music to accompany the catwalk models.
The Ragtag board, tutors, students and volunteers thank the community for its support.
Special thanks went to Caroline Clouston for allowing the students to display her late mothers vintage dresses from the 1940s and her own red velvet wedding dress and other items.
Thanks also went to everyone who donates to Ragtag throughout the year, Declan Friel for the photography, Karen Savage from Little Treasures, Izzy from Scribe and See, stall holders, Selkie Collective, Kyle Community Trust, Lochalsh Reuse and Recyle Hub, Wee Toaty Things, Rendall’s of Lochalsh, Mike and his team at Kyleakin Hall and Lorayne McLucas.
Ragtag is looking to update details of its members. Anyone wishing to update their details can get in touch with the office at hello@ragtagskye.com or by popping in to the charity shop Monday to Friday 11am till 3pm.
Featured image: Amelia, aged 14 months, was a stars of the show. Photograph: Declan Friel. NO_F48_RagtagFashionShow 01