Mackie's

Christian Dior & Mackie's Video Transcript:

My name is Chelsea Coleman. I work for Robert Mackey of Scotland, based in Stewarton, a small town in East Ayrshire. In 1845 Robert Mackey set up Robert Mackey of Scotland, and he came up with a finer quality of bonnet that brought him great success. The bonnet that we're working on with Christian Dior is based on a traditional Balmoral bonnet. It has the same pom pom, the dice pattern with the added addition of the Christian Dior embroidery on the band. 

Stephen Jones visited the mill. He understands and really appreciates the attention to detail. It's very important for Dior to work with people locally whenever they do a show where Maria Grazia is working. She wants to combine something which is traditional but something which is new and which is fashion, and the beret itself. 

Most people don't know, but this is actually knitted. So this is knitted quite big, and then it goes into a very special and quite antique machine. Then the fibers knit themselves together. Then this knitted band, which is in check, this is also embroidered here using a zigzag machine embroidery, and it says Christian Dior Paris in Maria Grazia's logo that she created. Then there's all the finishing which goes around. But here they have the techniques which are extraordinary. They can make a fully finished band like this. And then, of course, the pom pom, which was in the 18th century a glamorous finishing touch, and here they have a pom pom machine, which is quite extraordinary.

Robert Mackey incorporates a lot of traditional techniques and heritage. Some of the processes are exactly the same as it would have been back then, the same way Dior and Maria Grazia will bring heritage and beauty to the show.