Glasgow’s Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel has a new resident — and she’s one of Scotland’s brightest design talents.
Award-winning fashion designer Siobhan Mackenzie has been named the hotel’s first-ever Designer in Residence — a partnership that celebrates heritage, craftsmanship and contemporary style within one of the city’s most glamorous five-star addresses.
To mark the collaboration, Mackenzie has unveiled a bespoke tartan, a bold reimagining of tradition inspired by the lush gardens that frame Blythswood Square, threaded with rich gold to mirror the hotel’s interiors. Earlier this year, her exhibition A Journey Through Creation traced her career through more than 25 designs — a striking preview of the creative direction she now brings to Blythswood Square.
Famed for blending sharp tailoring with Scottish soul, Mackenzie has dressed everyone from Shania Twain to Team Scotland. Now, with a studio base inside one of Glasgow’s most iconic landmarks, she begins a new chapter — one that entwines fashion, heritage and place in a way only she could imagine.
On the residency & collaboration
You’ve just been named Blythswood Square’s first-ever Designer in Residence — how did this partnership come about, and what does it mean to you?
It really grew quite organically. Blythswood Square has always been a space I’ve admired — it’s iconic within Glasgow and steeped in history, yet it has this modern energy that mirrors my own approach to design. When the opportunity came to collaborate, it felt like such a natural fit. To be the first-ever Designer in Residence is an honour, and it means a lot to showcase Scottish craftsmanship in such a prestigious setting.
You created a brand-new tartan for the hotel. What inspired the colours and pattern, and how does it reflect both your style and Blythswood Square itself?
The tartan is really a love letter to Blythswood Square. I drew inspiration from the hotel’s heritage — the original architect, Robert Black, wanted the square to feel like an elegant oasis, so that was my guiding phrase. I looked to the rich tones of the gardens and the understated opulence of the architecture. My style respects tradition while introducing a contemporary twist, so the design holds that duality: recognisably Scottish, yet modern and fresh.
Blythswood Square is such a Glasgow landmark. How did the space — from the gardens to the interiors — influence your design?
I wanted the tartan to capture the spirit of the place. The greenery of the gardens gave me the base tones, the interiors inspired a gold, luxurious thread, and of course there’s a soft pink woven through — a nod to the hotel’s iconic cherry blossom tree. There’s a rhythm to the building’s history that I echoed through the thread count and symmetry of the design. In a way, it’s a portrait of Blythswood Square woven into cloth.
Tartan often feels steeped in tradition. How do you reimagine it for a new generation?
For me, tartan is alive — not something static or stuck in the past. I love to take its heritage and express it in silhouettes and textures that feel current. Whether that’s a sharp tailored jacket or a fluid gown, I want to show that tartan can be daring, glamorous and international, while still proudly Scottish.
On her exhibition & style
Your exhibition A Journey Through Creation brought together over 25 of your designs. Which piece still gives you goosebumps?
It has to be the Team Scotland opening-ceremony outfits for the Commonwealth Games. Seeing them walk out representing our nation, wearing designs that began as sketches on my desk — that was a surreal moment I’ll never forget.
What’s been the biggest “pinch-me” moment of your career so far?
There are a few, but dressing Shania Twain was a real “wow” moment. She’s such an icon, and seeing her on stage in something I created was incredible. But moments like unveiling my own exhibition in Scotland feel just as special — they connect so deeply with home.
Your work blends Scottish heritage with modern tailoring. If you had to sum up your signature style in three words, what would they be?
Bold. Scottish. Contemporary.
On Scotland, fashion & culture
You’ve dressed everyone from Shania Twain to Team Scotland, but you’re still deeply rooted in the Highlands. How does that balance of global and local shape your perspective?
My Highland roots keep me grounded. They remind me why I do what I do — to celebrate Scottish heritage and craftsmanship on a global stage. Travelling shows me just how admired Scotland is for its design and culture, but staying connected locally means I can tell that story authentically. It’s a balance I really value.
Scottish fashion is having a moment internationally. Do you think tartan is making a comeback in a new way?
Definitely. Designers around the world are reinterpreting tartan, not just as a nod to heritage but as a fabric with real creative potential. What makes Scottish design unique is its authenticity — our tartans carry centuries of story, and when reimagined thoughtfully, they resonate with a new generation.
What do you want people to feel when they put on one of your designs?
Empowered. I want them to feel pride, individuality, and a connection to Scotland — whether they’re from here or halfway across the world. My hope is that each garment feels like an extension of the wearer’s own confidence and personality.
On what’s next
Having a base at Blythswood Square must be one of the most glamorous workspaces in Glasgow. What can guests expect from your residency?
Absolutely. The residency is about creating a dialogue between the hotel and my work. Guests will see elements of the bespoke tartan woven into the space, and there’ll be opportunities to engage with my designs in immersive ways that enhance the guest experience. It’s not just fashion on a runway — it’s fashion experienced in context.
As your residency unfolds, what’s in store for guests?
We’ll be hosting special showcases and collaborations that bring Scottish design to life within Blythswood Square. Expect a real celebration of creativity — from exhibitions to interactive experiences — all centred around the spirit of modern Scotland.
Finally, what advice would you give to young Scottish creatives carving out their path in fashion or design?
Stay true to your voice. Scotland has such a rich design language, and the world is eager for fresh perspectives from here. Be bold, be resilient, and remember your roots are your strength — they give you a story that no one else can tell quite the same way.
Visit siobhanmackenzie.com and kimptonblythswoodsquare.com.
