14 March 2013

DJCAD graduate joins China trade mission

Scottish Orkney-based knitwear designer Hilary Grant, a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, will be taking part in a trade mission to Beijing this month. Hilary Grant was one of 16 businesses selected to take part in CHIC, an international fashion and textile fair held in Beijing.

Scottish Development International are hosting the 16 companies at the Scottish Pavilion to represent a wide cross section of the best of Scotland's design and manufacturing talent.

Hilary Grant will be exhibiting her knitted accessories alongside such high-end labels and textile giants such as Iona Crawford, Johnstones of Elgin, Eribe and Barrie knitwear (the manufacturer recently acquired by Chanel). The trade mission is organised by Scotland Development International, who work with Scottish businesses to help them establish and realise their exporting potential.

"I'm really honoured for my business to have been selected for the mission," said Hilary, who graduated in textile design from DJCAD in 2007. "I launched the label just less than two years ago now and it feels like a major milestone to be exhibiting alongside some Scotland's most establish fashion and textiles companies."

China is still relatively new to the concept of "multi-brand" stores and independent fashion boutiques, with mono-brand stores from dominant brands such as Burberry to Abercrombie & Fitch dominating China's many luxury shopping districts. However, there is a growing trend of consumers with the desire to seek out something different from the mainstream luxury labels, something a little more niche and less ubiquitous.

Ultimately Hilary is hoping to gain new stockists in China and this is just the start of the ground-work that has to take place. "When you're preparing to export to a new country, it's very much like starting a new business. There is a lot of research and ground-work that has to be done in order to protect your business and products, it's not just about researching shops."

However Hilary also stresses the importance of knowing your customer, in any country. "A small part of the mission involves a tour around many of Beijing's high-end shopping districts to get a feel for the market. When entering a new market it's important to understand it culturally, to know what's already available and it'll help us to target the right buyers and distributors for my brand and hopefully lead to some new accounts in China."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Hilary Grant is a luxury Scottish knitwear label based in Orkney, creating staple winter accessories with craftsmanship, style and distinct personality.

Hilary Grant believes that everyday items should be beautifully made.

Designed, knitted and hand-finished in Scotland, Hilary Grant's collection of scarves, hats and gloves combine simple, classic styles with bold patterns in sophisticated and compelling tones. Using high grade lambswool, Hilary Grant's pieces are wearable, practical, playful and of the utmost quality; designed to be cherished and enjoyed winter after winter.

Hilary launched her eponymous label in April 2011 with start-up funding from Creative Scotland's Craft Makers Award and The Prince's Business Youth Trust Scotland. Her Scottish knitted accessories can be found in high-end outlets and independent boutiques from Orkney to Osaka.

Hilary Grant is a member of Fashion Foundry, 2012 - 2014.

For further information please contact:
Hilary Grant
Director/ Designer
Raveyhalll | Birsay | Orkney | Scotland | KW17 2NA
www.hilarygrant.co.uk
mail@hilarygrant.co.uk
+44 (0) 7821310616

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Roddy Isles
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University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
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