Le Kilt: A classic reimagined

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I love it when designers start off with one product item before slowly expanding into other areas. It’s much easier to get your head around their aesthetic and it gives you a hook to latch onto too. Example: Le Kilt. Samantha McCoach grew up watching her grandmother make kilts and forever inspired, launched her own modern kilt line this year (it’s currently stocked at Dover Street Market).

Here’s a sneak peek at her SS15 line (look away now Topshop, ASOS et al), isn’t the styling and casting just perfect? Check out her answers to my nosy questions below…

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DISNEYROLLERGIRL: Did you always know you would be a kilt maker?
SAMANTHA MCCOACH: Not at all. My gran made me a small Black Watch kilt one Christmas. I wore it all winter with everything. It was smart, casual and chic all in one. I started to think about how this little kilt had so easily fitted in to my own wardrobe. My gran then started to make kilts for some of my close friends and that’s really how Le Kilt stated.

DRG: What’s the best thing about kilt making?
SM: Mastering one thing. There’s loads to learn about modern day kilt making for me yet and that’s really exciting. I’m really lucky to be working with a factory in Scotland who have been making kilts for years!

DRG: Where do you source your fabrics from?
SM: I currently source fabrics from British mills, but find inspiration and small off-cuts all over the place.

DRG: What’s your favourite tartan?
SM: Black Watch will always be a classic favourite, it was the start of Le Kilt. However I also love the brighter, more bold colourways. I’ve been mixing a yellow MacLeod of Lewis tartan kilt with some bright Nikes over the summer.

DRG: Do you wear kilts? How do you wear them?
SM: All the time. With almost everything I own. I stick to the same sort of uniform mostly. Shirts, crew neck sweats, tailored blazer and oxblood George Cox monkey boots mostly.

DRG: What sort of people are buying Le Kilt?
SM: The Le Kilt girl is modern, youthful and classic. It’s early days to know who’s buying them but I hope there’s a space in a few girls’ wardrobes for the timeless kilt.

More information can be found at Lekilt.co.uk