Parade Uniform Revealed

6 July 2014, 13:00 | Updated: 7 July 2014, 08:42

The Team Scotland parade uniform for the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony has been unveiled in Stirling.

More than 400 athletes and officials gathered for their final Team Camp before Glasgow 2014 gets underway.

Designed by internationally known textile designer and artist Jilli Blackwood, the parade uniform "injects a contemporary twist to the traditional tartan outfits of past Games".

The uniform combines a caramel-coloured hue to the tartan with a vibrant blue shirt for the men and a flowing wrap-around dress for the women, giving a nod to the blue of the saltire.

"My brief from Team Scotland was to come up with a parade uniform that was high on impact and made a real statement, but also had a contemporary feel. There will be no mistaking that this is the Scottish Team as they proudly step out at the Opening Ceremony," said Blackwood.

The subtle flag-inspired theme continues with a ripple-like pattern through the shirt and dress to create the impression of movement within the fabric. This was achieved by hand-embroidering the pattern onto fabric before the finished design was turned into a unique print effect on cotton at the Centre for Advance Textiles at Glasgow School of Art.

The distinctive Team Scotland tartan, with its turquoise, fuchsia and navy blue set on a burnt caramel background, was created by Blackwood and produced by House of Edgar at the Isle Mill in Keith, Aberdeenshire.

A shawl-like wrap, named by Blackwood as the 'Jimono' and a stone-coloured leather bag complete the women's uniform, the latter worn diagonally across the front like one half of the St Andrew's Cross.

Athletes were kitted out with their parade uniform alongside their ASICS leisure clothing and competition wear at the Team Camp.

Cyclist Charline Joiner, who helped model the new uniform said: "It's refreshing and a definite surprise! I was expecting a kilt, but love the fact the girls are in dresses this time as it's more feminine and it's still got the blue of Scotland in it.

"I love the fact its different and also love the fact it's got a little bag because the boys have always had a sporran, but we've never had anywhere to put our phones and other items."

Squash player Frania Gillen-Buchert, who led the uniform athlete consultation process, added: "I love the tartan and I think we'll look great …and we'll definitely be seen as we march last into Celtic Park for the Opening Ceremony as the home team."

Rugby 7s player Lee Jones described it as 'very comfortable and eye catching' whilst team-mate Scott Wight, added: "I'm now really looking forward to wearing it at the Opening Ceremony."

Blackwood, a native of Glasgow and graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, was commissioned by Commonwealth Games Scotland to design the Team Scotland parade uniforms following the buzz generated around her designs for the cast involved in the Glasgow section of the Delhi 2010 Closing Ceremony.

Commonwealth Games Scotland Chief Executive and Team Scotland Chef de Mission Jon Doig said: "We wanted a parade uniform that had a bold and confident look, but which still retained the iconic Scottish elements of the kilt and unique Games tartan.

"Jilli has delivered everything we hoped for and the response from the athletes, who played a key role in its development, has been great. And with each of the elements designed and made by specialist companies in Scotland, we are already on to a winner."