Twisted Tweed at The Green Closet, Milan: The special project for experimental eco-fashion collections Made in UK.

This collection addresses innovative ways to re-utilise Harris Tweed, an original and luxurious heritage fabric only produced by a handful of highly skilled workers on traditional looms in a precise geographical region in Scotland. As the Scottish textile industry fights against mill closures and redundancies of local skilled textile workers, designers are looking to re-invigorate a traditional cloth for more unusual applications promoting sustainability through home-grown production and manufacture. Twisted Tweed is a collection produced entirely in Scotland from cloth to product, consisting of tailored garments, footwear and accessories that utilise the silk screen printing process to add further value. UK Trade & Investment requested the collection to exhibit at The Green Closet, Milan 2012; a project exclusive to the Pitti Immagine salons at Milan Fashion Week and promoted by the British Consulate-General and UKTI. The showcase of exclusive collections from nine UK based designers, including Vivienne Westwood, were selected on their green credentials and Eco ethical approach in design.The opening and introduction by Christopher Prentice, the HM Ambassador in Italy commented: The aim of The Green Closet is not only to present new creative collections but also to show how British design and creativity can communicate a strong political and social message: the entire fashion system can contribute to protecting the environment, saving resources and generating skills and new jobs in marginalised communities. The opening of Green Closet was attended by Vic Annelis, the Consulate General and Director General for trade and investment, the British Consulate General Milan, Kenyan Ambassador Josephine W Gaita, First Secretary Jane Makori, fashion luminaries, press and industry representatives. Match funding was received from UKTI to attend and exhibit at the event. 8075 buyers attended the show and 9400 visitors. The collection received wide acclaim through International press and fashion blogs