Designer Bag for the Borders
Monday, July 21 2008
Stylish shoppers in the Borders can now get their hands on a designer re-usable bag so they can set a trend while carrying home their purchases.
Scottish Borders Council has teamed up with Scottish Enterprise to offer a reusable bag for the Scottish Borders – but with
a difference. To make the bag distinctive and appeal to as many people as possible, a design competition with third year
Textile Design students at Heriot-Watt University in Galashiels was commissioned.
The designs depicted the students’ perceptions of the Borders way of life, history and heritage. The winning bag from Naomi Shedden was chosen for its contemporary design emphasising choice, opportunity and the unexpected. The judges felt that this reflected not only life in the Borders but the great quality retail outlets of the area.
The distinctive bags are now being distributed free in local shops. The bags will also be available at the Border Union Show, where Radio Borders presenter Vanessa Motion will be modelling an eye-catching dress in the same print design. The contemporary dress was designed by Heriot-Watt student Daryl Crowe.
Visitors to the show can also enter a competition to with a Bag for the Borders full of goodies provided by local retailers.
Councillor Vicky Davidson, Executive Member for Economic Development at Scottish Borders Council, said: “Our Border towns offer a great variety of specialist and independent retailers with a huge range of quality goods and produce and, of course, friendly customer service second to none. We are delighted to be able to provide a solution to reduce plastic bags while creating yet another reason to visit the High Street and shop local. Pick up a free bag from one of your local shops – you might be surprised by the range and variety of products available!”
Bruce Roberts, Chairman of Kelso Chamber of Trade, agreed: “It’s great to hand out reusable bags to our customers and I encourage traders and locals to use the bag wherever and whenever they can. As a former student at Heriot-Watt University, I am also delighted that the project has showcased the fantastic design skills available at Galashiels. It’s a real boost for students to be able to have real experience on a commercially orientated project whilst studying.”
Unified Solutions.