Photography: Charlotte Cullen
Makeup: Kala Williams
Set Assistant: Claudia Veneroni
Photography assistant: Niamh McInally
Featuring Annabel Stewart
with thanks to Monica Findlay for jewellery
Words by Tegan Jaimie

At the intersection of tradition and now, Annabel Stewart is carving out a space of her own. Since launching her namesake label in 2023, the Highlands-raised, Glasgow-based designer has been redefining what Scottish fashion can look like. Her silhouettes nod to the past, but her vision is sharply future-facing: cinematic, subversive, and rooted in Scotland’s textile legacy. Stewart is building something intimate and intentional. The result? Clothes that feel personal yet striking, nostalgic but totally new. We caught up with Annabel to talk origin stories, pop-ups, and what it means to build a brand that’s grounded, intentional, and quietly bold.

Can you explain how your label came to be?

After living and working in London for a few years, I hit a bit of a creative wall. I felt disconnected from home, and from the kind of work I actually wanted to be doing. I kept thinking about this dress I wanted to make based on my parents wedding and using our family tartan, the ‘Stewart Tartan Dress’. It wouldn’t leave my head. That was the starting point. Eventually, I knew I had to move back to Scotland, reconnect with where I’m from, and just start. That’s when I launched Annabel Stewart in 2023. You cite the Scottish landscape as a big inspiration in your work.

How do you continue being inspired in your motherland?

The Scottish Highlands offers endless inspiration, from its rugged mountains and dramatic coastlines to its rich history and unique culture, inspiring a sense of wonder. I grew up in Lochinver, right up in the northwest coast of the Highlands, so the landscape has always been a part of who I am. I take photos when I’m home, and those often end up turning into prints. The colours, the textures, the mood of the place, it all feeds into the designs naturally.

Where do you go/where do you find inspiration?

It’s always a bit of a mix. Old family photos, films, Hollywood starlets like Hedy Lamarr, the wonderful world of David Lynch and Scottish folklore to name a few. I’ve always been drawn to certain eras too, especially the silhouettes of the ‘50s and ‘70s and the detail in Victorian clothing. It’s about pulling from different sources and seeing what starts to form.

Does the metropolitan-ness of Glasgow, where you are now mixed with your upbringing in the Highlands influence your work?

I wouldn’t say I’m directly inspired by Glasgow as a city, but the people here definitely inspire me. Most of my customers live in cities, so I think about them when I design, what they’d wear, how they’d style it. It’s really about blending where I’m from with where I am now. I use traditional Scottish fabrics and references from the Highlands, but I’m always thinking about how it works in a more modern, urban setting.

Your designs stay true to Scottish heritage while still remain modern. How do you approach that balance?

Scotland has a huge textile history, and I try to work within that while bringing something new to the table. I collaborate with local mills, printers, and embroidery artists because I want to support the industry here and keep the process rooted in Scotland. When I’m designing, I ask myself: Would I wear this? Would I actually buy this? If not, it doesn’t go forward. I want everything I put out to feel considered and intentional.

How do you think opinions of Scottish fashion have changed in recent years?

There’s definitely more attention on it now. People are more mindful about how and where their clothes are made, and they’re investing in things that last. I think that’s pushed more people to look at Scottish brands, especially ones that are doing things locally and sustainably. There’s also more confidence in the industry here now, it feels like something you can actually be a part of without having to move away.

In such a digital world, how important is it to still have that physical experience?

The online side works really well for made-to-order, but pop-ups give people the chance to try things on, feel the fabric, and get a proper sense of the clothes. It makes the process more personal. I’ve had people message me after saying how different something felt when they tried it on in person and how special it made them feel. I think having both online and physical is the ideal balance, especially when you’re a small brand.

What’s next for you as a designer?

I want to keep growing the brand without compromising on the values I started with, it’s important that my heritage continues to be a central point whilst still focusing on sustainability, working locally, and making things that feel meaningful. I’d love to work with more Scottish artists and maybe even create opportunities for younger designers here. Also… I’m manifesting dressing my dream client list – Doechii, Kyle MacLachlan, and Kelly Macdonald and creatively, I just want to keep telling stories through the clothes.