2023 Highlights
2025
Theme
The theme of the 2025 DTK fashion show will be “Country Couture – From the Scottish Highlands to Fifth Avenue” . This will be a tribute to the fashion of the countryside and the great outdoors. There will of course also be elegant evening wear for the gentlemen and ladies of Edinburgh and Glasgow. Our runway becomes a stage for outdoor lifestyle fashion that encompasses hunting, shooting, hiking, climbing, riding, sailing and of course that sport that the Scots invented, golf. There will also be a number of medal winning Olympic athletes from Paris from both the US Team and Team GB. Creativity meets innovation on the DTK platform. There is a Country Chic look that is emerging, and this movement is bringing nature back into urban environments. This influence of the countryside in urban style (tweeds, tailoring, plaid, cashmere, leather and suede) is adding warmth and softness to the city silhouettes and attitudes.
For those of you who are new to Dressed to Kilt, it is the largest, most prestigious and exciting Scottish fashion show in the world. It was co-founded in 2003 by Sir Sean Connery and Dr. Geoffrey Scott Carroll. It is also one of the highest profile fashion shows in the United States in terms of press & media generation. Though the fashion runways of New York City are the home of Dressed to Kilt, this annual celebrity show has recently performed to sold-out standing room only audiences in a castle, a cathedral, Washington DC, an airplane hangar in Houston and most recently in Toronto, Canada. The Toronto show was by far the largest DTK fashion show ever in terms of audience size and in terms of media impressions. The Toronto show generated between 8-9 million media impressions.
The upcoming April 2025 show will be the first show in NYC since before the pandemic. In light of this it is our intention to make this show an exceptional over-the-top evening with many old friends joining us on the runway, in the audience and as runway judges. Should you wish to be involved in the next show as a runway model, a contributing designer, or a sponsor, please contact us at (FriendsofScotland@igc.org).
The
Venue
Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex
25 British Columbia Road
Exhibition Place
Toronto, Ontario M6K 3C3
Following a very successful sold-out 20th Anniversary Dressed to Kilt fashion show in Washington DC, DTK has been invited to hold its 2024 show in Toronto, Canada. This is an important show as it will be the first time for the show to be held outside the United States. The next show is now confirmed for Saturday evening, April 6, 2024 – Tartan Day. Toronto is the largest city in Canada with a population of about 3 million people. It is the center of the fashion, business, entertainment and culture. Scotland has had an extraordinary role in the settlement and development of Canada since its inception and Scots have been involved in every aspect of Canada’s development. Scots-Canadians have been at the forefront of the Canadian state, its government, its commerce and its public affairs. Many of Canada’s great universities bear the names of influential Scots who shaped their founding.
Built in 1926, the Liberty Grand is one of Toronto’s few heritage complexes. This monumental waterfront property boasts three impressive grand ballrooms, decorated in traditional early 1900’s elegance, and a modern open concept room. With crystal chandeliers, iron-laced balconies, thirty-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Lake Ontario, there is a feel of stately elegance. The European style courtyard, majestic domes and columns bring back memories of an authentically historic atmosphere. As well, there is ample parking right outside the facility, and it is a very short taxi/Uber ride from central Toronto.
The
Charity
The pulsating rhythm of fashion runways usually reverberate with cutthroat competition, rapid trend evolution and insatiable hunger for novelty. Amidst this dazzling, ever-changing spectacle, Dressed to Kilt has etched a distinctive identity that goes beyond merely showcasing celebrity models in traditional kilts or stunning professional models in the latest fashion-forward attire. At the heart of this show is charity and philanthropy. The charity facet of the show is well-recognized within industry corridors. DTK has raised significant sums for Veteran’s causes throughout the years, earning acclaim and extensive recognition. Our partnership with the Navy SEAL Foundation has drawn renewed attention and admiration for our endeavors. In every recent show there have been several former Navy SEALs doing their best to imitate Fifth Avenue runway models.
The Navy SEALS are considered the most elite warriors in the world, and their Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF) focuses on helping the families of the SEALS and they stand at the forefront of crucial care for this unique community. They are there to help the SEAL families every step of the way. The Navy SEALS operate with deliberate stealth beyond the reach of conventional forces, engaging in direct action, hostage rescue and many other specialized mission sets. Through these clandestine missions the SEALS continue to sacrifice for our nation, maintaining their global presence and always at the ready.
Like the special warfare community that they serve, the Navy SEAL Foundation is also a very high-performing organization. Charity Navigator has awarded the NSF a 4-star rating since 2009 and a prfect score of “100” since 2014 for their financial health, accountability and transparency. The NSF ranks higher than 99.9% of charities nationwide and importantly, ninety-four cents of every dollar donated directly funds their programs.
THE DRESSED TO KILT
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
“I wanted to personally thank you and your Dressed to Kilt colleagues for your significant financial contribution. Your generous partnership with the Navy SEAL Foundation makes a difference for these brave warriors, their Naval Special Warfare teammates and to their families”
Robin King , Chief Executive Officer
Navy SEAL Foundation