Eleven years ago fashion student Siobhan Mackenzie had £90 in her bank account and was wondering how she would ever make a living.
Now she has a base in one of Scotland’s most exclusive hotels, starts prices for her creations at £1,000, and counts stars such as Justin Bieber, Shania Twain and Jared Leto among the wearers of her bespoke clothing.
The 32-year-old from the Black Isle in Ross and Cromarty has also been endorsed by the King, has designed the Scotland team tartan for this year’s Commonwealth Games, and had her clothes featured on the Traitors US final this week.
Siobhan was thrilled to see them worn by Traitors host Alan Cumming and the finalists. She said: ‘Alan could carry off anything.
Singer Shania Twain performing in Stirling wearing a bespoke kilt made by Siobhan Mackenzie
Alan Cumming in bespoke tartan at Ardross Castle, where The Traitors USA is filmed
This time he’s in a corsetted resin chest plate with a sgian dubh through the heart and red crystals dripping down like blood for the murderous theme.’
The life of this kiltmaker to the stars looks very different to when she graduated.
She said: ‘After four years of being a fashion student, where all your money has gone on fabrics and sketchbooks, I had about £90 in my bank account.’
A £5,000 Prince’s Trust loan helped with start-up costs.
Siobhan has designed the Scotland team tartan for this year’s Commonwealth Games
Justin Bieber wearing a Mackenzie design for a gig at Glasgow’s Hydro
King Charles III meets the designer during an event at Dumfries House in Cumnock
Eleven years ago fashion student Siobhan Mackenzie had just £90 in her bank account
She said: ‘I’ve been very fortunate where it’s just run on sales since.’
Siobhan, who learned to sew at 13, got her first famous client when she messaged Justin Bieber’s tour manager at the Glasgow Hydro in 2016.
She recalled: ‘It was all last minute and I took over some options and made the weathered Stewart piece. Justin wore it on stage.’
Other stars followed and Siobhan said: ‘I loved Shania Twain.
She wore my leopard and tartan little kilt with crystals on it.
She actually stopped and shouted me out on stage and I thought, “Yep, that’s women supporting women”.’
She has now even gained royal recognition from the King’s Foundation education charity.
Siobhan, who is based in Glasgow’s Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel and Spa, said: ‘I was recognised as a champion of sustainability and heritage crafts and got to meet the King in October.’