In June, tartan truly had its moment. After Dior's annual cruise show transported audiences to surprisingly sunny Scottish hills, in Maria Grazia Chiuri’s love letter to the lands, all eyes seemed to turn toward this iconic fabric. Ever since, tartan has been an unexpected choice for summer styling, with Olivia Dean and Little Simz making their Glastonbury Pyramid Stage debuts in plaid skirts and mini kilts infiltrating our feeds.  

Yet tartan is just one piece of Scotland's rich tapestry. The country's storied craft scene is experiencing a resurgence, with artisans breathing new life into traditional techniques. Among them is accessories designer Iseabal Hendry, who infuses deep meaning into her meticulously hand-woven leather accessories from the Scottish Highlands.

Recently, Iseabal was awarded a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) Scholarship to study basketry. This opportunity allows her to explore another traditional craft rooted in the Scottish Highlands and the broader UK. In homage to her heritage, language, and culture, Iseabal seamlessly combines her intricate leatherwork with basketry, merging ancient traditions to create something refreshingly modern and unique.

Her recent works, developed in collaboration with Atlas Arts and Tobar an Dualchais, delve into an oral archive of Gaelic recordings that spans the past century of Scottish history. These recordings, rich in cultural history and language, as well as celebratory of climate and craft, serve as the foundation for Iseabal's creations, which capture the essence of Scotland's enduring spirit and artistic legacy.