Students design garments for Tailors Award inspired by Incorporated Trades

March 6, 2025

HND Textiles students from NESCol presented designs based on the city’s historic trades at Trinity Hall on 25 February, for an award in partnership with the Aberdeen Tailors Incorporation.

Established in 2024, the team collaboration of the Aberdeen Tailors Incorporation NESCol Fashion Development Award challenges students to create garment collections following a specific theme.

This year the groups were given five of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen to inspire their pieces: Bakers, Fleshers, Shoemakers, Hammermen and Wrights and Coopers.

David N. Parkinson, Deacon, the Aberdeen Tailors Incorporation, said:

“The setting up of this award last year fits perfectly alongside the other awards programme with which the Aberdeen Tailors Incorporation is involved. The students work in teams of up to four to produce a portfolio and finished garment; exchanging ideas and carrying out research to reach a final presentation given to the full membership and their guests.

“This process will hopefully be of benefit to students as they progress in their careers as well as ensuring their work is seen and appreciated by a wider public audience.”

The winners, Niamh Hay, Aimee Leiper and Isabella Macrae Dougherty, created designs based on Wrights and Coopers, the term once used to describe those in the joinery trade. They studied different styles of furniture and woodwork, incorporating these elements into a collection of three dresses.

The students were presented with a certificate and £100 each from the Members of Tailors.

The three winners of the award with their garments displayed on mannequins

Neil Cowie, Principal, NESCol, said:

“This award is an example of how the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen is contributing to the encouragement, development and betterment of our students whose skills and talents were showcased at Trinity Hall.

“With such an opportunity in such an impressive setting, this was indeed the experience of a lifetime for our students.

“The students are a credit to our city, our region and our College, as well as their families and friends. It is safe to say we are all very impressed with what they have achieved and the extraordinary level of work they have each produced.”

Laura Cameron, Textiles Lecturer at NESCol, helped set up the award last year to encourage students to collaborate with the local industry.

She said: “The students have worked very hard over the first term and produced some interesting pieces. They presented well at the event and should be exceptionally proud of what they have created.

“This project is a fantastic opportunity for our HND Textiles with Fashion Design students, and we are very grateful to The Seven Trades for hosting us for another year – and many more to come.”