Dressed to Kilt

From the Highlands of Scotland to Houston, Texas

By: Heidi Powell

Heidipowell-prera.com

 

On Saturday, April 7, 2018, the most prestigious and largest Scottish Fashion Event in the World was held at the new luxury private jet hangar at Hobby Airport, the Million Air Houston. The event was co-hosted by Dr. Geoffrey Scott Carroll, Chairman, New York, and Mr. Peter Morris, Vice Chairman, Los Angeles, CA. The Friends of Scotland Charity was founded by Sean Connery in 2002. Its Dressed to Kilt Show, with the help of Sir Sean and Lady Connery has grown in the last 6 to 8 years to where it is now, the highest profile fashion show in North America. They have raised millions of dollars for veterans and their families on both sides of the Atlantic. This was not your usual fashion show, as the host said, it was fun.

Houston’s Man of the Year, Scottish-American, Jim “Mattress Mack” McInvale, brought this unique event to Houston. The purpose of this major event was two-fold; 1} the official opening of the Million Air Hangar, and 2} the raising of funds for the Lone Survivor Foundation and the Navy Seal Foundation.

Special guests were too many to list here. They included TV and movie actors and actresses, Scottish Royalty, former Navy Seals, Olympic Champions, high profile businessmen and diplomats, and more than one major philanthropic donor. To name only a few, present were:

Carl Lewis – Olympic Track and Field Champion multiple times and the only Olympic Athlete to win gold in 4 consecutive games.

Karen Bell – British Consul General Houston

Viscount William Garnock – Scottish Royalty

Dan Crenshaw and Marcus Luttrell and Wife – Former Navy Seals

Andrew Cullen – Scottish 9/11 Survivor.

To open the program Ms. Amber McIntyre Weliver sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Save the Queen.

The fashion show featured such well-known designers as The House of Bruar, The House of Lucan, House of Chevoit, McKenna Quinn, and Edinburgh Castle Tweed. Professional models were from First Models Talent Search. Also walking the runway in honor of the occasion and for the cause were Hurricane Harvey First Responders, 5 Houston Policemen and 5 Houston Firefighters, and a former Navy Seal.

Following the show, the party continued in the Million Air Hangar.

This was the first time that this world-class show and fundraiser was held in Houston. With Texas Scottish connections dating back to the Alamo, this show should become an annual event. It was an evening that even Houstonians who have no Scottish connections enjoyed and will remember.

For further information or a donation to this charitable organization go to friendsofscotland.org.