Pringle of Scotland: Modernizing The Argyle
By Ian Bennett
Photos by Javier Mateo
More Photos: 1 | 2
LONDON, Feb 19, 2003/ FW/ --- One of the hardest things a designer has to do when
tasked to revive a venerable brand like Pringle of Scotland is to be able to keep
existing clients and look for new ones.
When the brand is over 100 years old like Pringle, it is even harder because even
the parents of the baby boomers see it as an old brand, while the young Generation Y
thinks of it as their parent's brand.
What does a designer do? Reinvent the brand by infusing the well known argyle to new
designs.
Stuart Stockdale did just that. He showed argyle raincoats, tight-fitting argyle jerseys
sloping mini dress and navel-baring argyle midriff sending the message, "This is not your
parent's Pringle."
The designer then interjected his own style with the tight-fitting pants adorned with
buckles on the side and spaghetti-strap silk top that the model looked dainty and sweet -
conservative enough to go to the country club where her dad plays golf, but modern and
chic like her peers.
He even got a little risque with the black shredded dress held by a white belt. When the
model turned, her back was bare except for her undies. Stuart Stockdale has a playful
side too.
Notable piece was the white tube top matched with black loose pants tucked in under
what can pass for riding boots.
Again, it's sweet, feminine and dainty, yet very modern.
The collection showed that Stuart Stockdale is serious about revamping the brand.
Unfortunately this collection is not the magic show yet. It has shown great promise though.
Hopefully, next season, Pringle and Stuart Stockdale will hit the
right formula in modernizing the argyle.
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