Pringle of Scotland has been around a long time. Since 1815, as a matter of fact. 195 years. A tradition in luxurious cashmere knitwear, they are credited with originating the Argyle pattern as well as the twinset.
above left: creative director Clare Waight Keller. above right: Ryan McGinley, Tilda Swinton and Clare Waight Keller
In 2005, the brand hired their first creative director, Clare Waight Keller, who has since, along with CEO Mary-Adair Macaire, collaborated with some of today's most popular contemporary designers and artists, refreshing the brand and bringing it to the attention of fashionistas everywhere.
This year Pringle of Scotland celebrates 195 years and as part of that celebration, Pringle has paired up with the Serpentine Gallery of London to bring us collaborations with numerous Scottish artists in various mediums, all inspired by iconic Pringle products, patterns and styles.
A new advertising print campaign featuring Tilda Swinton, whose alien looks are a far cry from the preppy models of the past, was shot by iconic art photographer Ryan McGinley. McGinley also shot a 7 minute film for the brand- again starring Tilda Swinton. An animated short by David Shrigley (who also designed T-shirts and a twin set) and special 'modern' takes on twin sets by Julien David and other artists.
Ryan McGinley X Pringle
The SS 2010 ad campaign starring Tilda Swinton:
Ryan McGinley's 7 minute film starring Tilda Twinton for Pringle of Scotland.
You can view the film below in its entirety (courtesy of Wallpaper magazine). But be forewarned, It's beautiful footage but it is basically 7 long minutes of Tilda Swinton walking the moors, crawing into and out of a cave and walking into water. Half the time donning one lovely black Pringle dress and the other half, an ivory one.
David Shrigley X Pringle
Pringle of Scotland has commissioned artist David Shrigley to create a humorous short animated film about life behind-the-scenes at Pringle to celebrate the brands return to Milan Fashion Week.
The animation (shown below), was shown during Pringle of Scotland's menswear show in Milan on 18th January. The film humorously depicts the making of jumpers and cardigans over the past 195 year history of the Scottish brand.
In 2009, Shrigley also created this tongue-in-cheek 'twin set' Tee for Pringle:
and Pringle's on Bond Street with the Shrigley T-shirt window displays:
And he has designed this twinset for the brand:
speaking of twin sets...
Julien David X Pringle X Colette
On the occasion of 195 years of Pringle of Scotland, Colette participates in the "twin sets project" and invites Julien David to combine the famous Argyle and his computer keyboard print of Spring / Summer 2010. The letters P (for Pringle), C (for colette) and J (for Julien) will adorn the cashmere of this limited series. Find it with the collection designed by Clare Waight Keller at Colette here.
Other twin sets, such as the one designed by David Shrigley shown earlier in this post and the one shown below by Ryan McGinley, have been and are still being designed by many Scot-related talents.
Ryan McGinley X Pringle
above image of Ryan McGinley's Seagull Cardigan courtesy of Style.com via Pringle
Scotsman Waris Ahluwalia, Scot-rockers Franz Ferdinand and Turner Prize winners Richard Wright and Douglas Gordon are still working on their twinsets. According to Tim Blanks, at a Feb 22nd press conference at the Serpentine, Gordon promised a flesh-toned piece which would duplicate in intarsia-ed cashmere the tattoos that litter his torso. Expect twinsets from Colette’s Sarah Lerfel and Corso Como’s Carla Sozzani as well. Each twinset will have a limited quantity of 195 pieces, pricing out between $1300 and $3300. The project plans to donate all proceeds from the collaboration to the gallery’s public and educational programs.
Pringle
