Western Isles based kiltmaker Netty Sopata of Diggory Brown, Ness recently had one of her kilts on display in the window of Norton and Son's bespoke tailors in London. (www.nortonandsons.co.uk).

The display was timed to coincide with Burns Night and featured a hand tailored, 8yrd, Harris Tweed Kilt made by Netty in Ness, Isle of Lewis.

Prior to the display Netty had approached Patrick Grant, the proprietor of Norton and Son's, to ask his advice on the best way to market such an item.

An example of Netty's work was sent to Patrick and it was agreed that Norton and Son's would display the kilt and in doing so would offer the availabilty of a bespoke kilt making service by Netty via themselves to their clients.

Netty also collaborated with Corina Krause of Sollas Books (www.sollasbooks.com) Uist, who created a bespoke kilt box for the kilt to travel to London in.

The tweed for the kilt was woven by John Maclean of Garynahine Harris Tweed (www.garynahineharristweed.com). Both Netty and John are members of The Harris Tweed Artisan's Cooperative (www.harristweedartisanscooperative.co.uk) . This meant that the whole package had been 'Made in the Hebrides.'

The marketing has already proven successful with Netty being commissioned to produce kilts for a London based designer for the catwalk at London fashion week. Netty is contactable at: thetailorshouse@googlemail.com . Addtional examples of her work can be seen at www.diggorybrown.co.uk