Diesel award project

technical description

Dark blue, green and black denim hooded jacket and trousers decorated with contrasting front and reversed denim ‘tartan’ stripes, a reverse bottom panel and a half-zipped front closure.

Size 1520x450x250mm

concept

A design project meant to encourage a long term emotional connection, with elements meant to evoke a passionate response from its wearer. Designer Rosie Baird incorporated iconic denim features combined with traditional elements of the Scottish tartan Highlands dress. It revolves around the idea of utility and functionality, with a nod to sportswear and the traditional kilt is the ultimate blend of this. The kilt originated as a very practical garment: easy to make and used as a sleeping blanket, it would become less soaked when walking through marshlands and braving Scottish weather. It allowed freedom of movement, was almost completely waterproof and could be easily discarded. Tartan also developed into an emblem of contrasting modern “tribes”, from uniforms and royals, to punks, high fashion brands and old ladies. The kilt and tartan therefore represent a functional means of identification that has a polysemic nature allowing it to have deep connections with a large range of people, just like denim does.