Scottish textile flag flown in US

Lochcarron will fly the flag for Scottish textiles at the US event

A Borders textile firm is to spearhead attempts to boost the industry at Los Angeles fashion week.

Lochcarron of Scotland will join eight other Scottish companies next month hoping to break into the lucrative US market at the Dressed to Kilt event.

The firm - which recently moved from Galashiels to Selkirk - will be able to target top buyers and designers.

High quality textiles are seen as an expansion area for an industry hit by closures and cutbacks in recent times.

Scottish Enterprise's textiles team manager Kirsty Scott said the presence at Dressed to Kilt was something the industry needed.

Dressed to Kilt provides huge opportunities to raise the profile of Scottish companies and their designs to a very influential audience Kirsty Scott Scottish Enterprise

"Companies have been telling us that they have been wanting to target the US market," she said.

"But there hasn't been an appropriate vehicle for us to do so in such a co-ordinated way.

"Dressed to Kilt provides huge opportunities to raise the profile of Scottish companies and their designs to a very influential audience."

It is estimated that such events can generate millions of dollars' worth of publicity for companies attending.

'International brands'

Ms Scott said the top quality end of the market was where Scottish firms could target their efforts.

"Scottish design talent and the range of innovative and high quality textiles being produced in Scotland continues to go from strength to strength," she said.

She added that it was vital to build "strong international brands" and invest more in design.

The other Scottish companies exhibiting at LA Fashion Week are Begg Scotland, Calzeat, Glaschu, Joyce Young, Mackintosh, Macnaughton Holdings, Morton Young & Borland and Tait & Style.