Queer Tartan
“In a world marked by volatility – from geopolitical tensions to economic turbulence and accelerating technological change – we are witnessing a natural counterforce emerge: a return to what is human, sensory, emotional, and shared. British luxury is intuitively responding to these needs through thoughtfully crafted stays and experiences.”
Walpole, the Art of British Hospitality Report, March 2025
I came up with the concept of queer tartan to make it easy for businesses to communicate queer allyship while still using their brand colours. Below are mock-ups of how I see this design system working. I have created a range of cushions initially as this is the easiest for me to make and the easiest way to disseminate this idea.
You can use these cushions to signal that your establishment is welcoming to the LGBTQIA+ (queer) community. One simple, small purchase that can make a big difference to your guests and your turnover.
I am disseminating queer tartan graphics into the queer community through the Queer Tartan Register.
My coming out story!
When I was 7 I moved from a hippy commune in the Aberdeenshire countryside to inner city Edinburgh. I gave all my new classmates handmade glittery cards on Valentines day. I was called a lesbian. Things didn’t get much better. It took me years to come out.
When I did finally come out I couldn’t tell who was a lesbian and who wasn’t because lots of women dress like lesbians now. When I cut all my hair off I looked ridiculous - like Jimmie Krankie. I grew my hair back and made a plan. Being a designer I figured it was a design brief:
Find a way to meet girls, not using the horrific method of online dating but through chatting them up in coffee shops!
Find something that I would actually want to wear which usually involves at least 80% black
Bring back the feeling of joy I had at having new classmates - and becoming that little girl who just wanted to make people happy
Et voilà - Queer Tartan
