Dressed to Kilt headed to Texas this year debuting in Houston to an enthusiastic crowd, including myself and Alan. Considered the largest and most prestigious Scottish Fashion Event in the world, Dressed to Kilt once again lured decorated military men, celebrities and world-class athletes from both sides of the Atlantic on Tartan Day celebrating all that is Scottish. The event honored Houston’s Man of the Year, Mr. Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale during a celebrity filled runway show celebrating country cool looks “From the Scottish Highlands to Houston,” that was followed by an evening of dancing and cocktails. Models and attendees ranged from Reality TV Stars to real life military heroes.
Left to Right: Houston Socialite, Staci Henderson walks the Dressed To Kilt Runway wearing two piece Totty Rocks Tweed; Viscount William Garnock; Houston’s “Mr. Kilty” – Bob Cavnar with Geoffrey Day; Houston Socialites with Olympic Gold Medal Winner and legendary track star, Carl Lewis.
The City of Houston boasts the most expatriate Scots than any other US city making it the perfect backdrop for the event. Notable attendees included Trae Tha Truth [rapper], Marcus Lutrell [war hero and founder of The Lone Survivor Foundation], Viscount William Garnock [Scottish Royalty and ‘most eligible bachelor’], Eve Muirhead [Olympic Champion, curling], Carl Lewis [Olympic Champion, track and field], Lea Gabrielle [Fox News Correspondent], Karen Bell [British Counsul General].
Randy Canche, Houston Attorney and Philanthropist walks the DTK Runway sporting the Union Jack Kilt.
The event was held at the brand new Million Air facility at Hobby Airport, Houston, and the largest private jet hangar in the US complete with a private jet parked inside for the festivities. Guests decked in their finest kilts, ball gowns and black tie garbs began the evening with Scottish highland dancing following by a full fashion show featuring some of Scotland’s hottest designers modeled by a mix of celebrities, professional models and military heroes. The fashion show showcased the latest designs from Calzeat, Judy Clark, Edinburgh Castle, Kevin’s Catalog, Harris Tweed Hebrides, GlenIsla Kilts, House of Bruar, House of Cheviot, Kiltane, Knockando Woolmill Scotland, Slanj, Totty Rocks, and Walker Slater.For the first time outside of Scotland the new Edinburgh Castle Tweed debuted on the runway.
The highlight of the show included a surprise presentation to McIngvale where founder Dr. Geoffrey Carroll and co-host Peter Morris presented Mack with a specially curated, custom tartan for the McIngvale family which is officially registered in Scotland as the McIngvale family tartan and can be passed on for generations to come. Mattress Mack made sure to note that the tartan pattern must include his favorite colors: red, white, and blue – in honor of his deep patriotism to his country.
Mattress Mack Walks Runway wearing Lone Star Tartan representing the State of Texas.
After the show guests were treated to tastings from Macallan Whiskey and delectable bites from the Taste of Texas and Batanga Tapas and Drinks. The Title Sponsor of the show is Gallery Furniture of Houston. Other major sponsors include the British American Business Committee of Houston, The Macallan, Million Air Houston, Houstonia Magazine and the Taste of Texas Restaurant. The evening’s proceeds will benefit the Navy SEAL Foundation and the Lone Survivor Foundation.
Mike Thornton- former Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient with Mattress Mack.
About Dressed to Kilt
From its genesis in 2003, DTK is now the largest and most prestigious Scottish fashion event in the world, and one of the highest profile fashion shows in the United States. We believe that fashion without the enrichment of diverse cultures become hollow. The show is produced by the Friends of Scotland charity which was co-founded by Sir Sean Connery in 2002. In addition to supermodels, this show highlights very accomplished men and women on the runway and it is also filled with A-List celebrities and athletes from both sides of the Atlantic. In recent shows Sir Sean Connery, Gerard Butler, Kiefer Sutherland, Kyle MacLachlan, Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr., Chris “Mr. Big” Noth, Mike Myers and Craig Ferguson have all walked the runway. The charity has raised significant sums for the families of wounded veterans.
Yours Truly, Carl Lewis and Alan, great to meet him!
Images by Jay Marroquin Photography and Rick Kern for Ghetty Photography.