25 February 2026

Fashion News: Strike a Pose

Dewar Awardees Hayley Scanlon and Sarah McCormack named “Ones to Watch” by The Herald Magazine.

We were thrilled to see two former Dewar Awardees recognised as “ones to watch” in Strike a Pose, a recent feature in The Herald Magazine (14 February 2026). The article shines a spotlight on five Scottish fashion designers shaping the future of the industry, including Hayley Scanlan and Sarah McCormack.

Hayley Scanlan

While studying textile design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee, Hayley Scanlan was offered a remarkable opportunity: a nine-month unpaid internship in Los Angeles with renowned designer Jeremy Scott.

During her time in his Hollywood studio, Hayley collaborated on print designs for inclusion in his Spring/Summer 2008 collection. A Dewar Arts Award enabled her to take up the internship and her bold print designs were featured in a ready-to-wear collection showcased at Paris Fashion Week. The experience gave her what she described as an “intense insight into the reality of the hard work and dedication involved in the fashion industry”.

Since then, Hayley’s career has gone from strength to strength. She founded H.S by Hayley Scanlan, an independent contemporary womenswear brand, and became the first designer to win the Scottish Young Designer of the Year award twice at the Scottish Fashion Awards (2012 and 2014). She has also appeared on Netflix reality show Next in Fashion and recently launched a new sewing school in Dundee, offering eight-week programmes for adults and children.

Sarah McCormack

Originally from Dumfries, Sarah McCormack is an experimental designer whose work bridges traditional craftsmanship and contemporary innovation. Sarah began her studies with an HND in Fashion Design at Clyde College, Glasgow, before progressing to a BA at the University of Westminster in London. During her degree, she undertook a year-long industry placement, securing an internship at Maison Margiela Artisanal in Paris under the creative direction of John Galliano.

In 2018, she was accepted onto the prestigious MA Fashion programme at Central Saint Martins, London, and received a Dewar Arts Award to support her postgraduate studies. While at Saint Martins, she was joint winner of the L’Oréal Professionnel Creative Award.

Sarah’s practice centres on handcrafted, artisanal clothing that pairs old and new. Hand dyeing and printing techniques are central to her work, and she frequently combines vintage textiles with experimental fabrications. In 2023, musician and producer FKA Twigs wore one of Sarah’s creations at a Paris Fashion Week gala.

 

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Supporting Scotland’s Creative Future

The Dewar Arts Awards continue to champion young Scottish creatives working in textiles and fashion. Our funding has enabled Awardees to pursue study and postgraduate education, produce collections, and access vital professional development opportunities. Our recent Awardees include Olivia Shearon (2023), Benaissa Majeri (2024) and Arouge Salim (2024).

If you’re a young Scottish creative looking to take the next step in your journey, applications for the Dewar Arts Awards are open all year round. To learn more about our application process and how to apply for our support, visit dewarawards.org/apply.

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2024 Awardee: Arouge Salim

YEAR OF AWARD: 2024
AGE AT AWARD: 27
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.instagram.com/_arouge_/
 
 

Biography

Arouge Salim is a textile designer and researcher from Glasgow, based in New York. Her work explores the intricate placement of threads to create vibrant patterns and shapes. By blending traditional techniques with innovative approaches, she pushes the boundaries of what textiles can achieve. Her designs play with thread and colour to craft synthetic, illusion-like effects, reflecting her belief in the transformative power of textiles as a medium. Driven by a desire to redefine its possibilities, Arouge’s work challenges convention while celebrating the limitless potential of fabric and design.

Arouge earned her BFA in Textiles from The Glasgow School of Art in 2022 and is now in her first year of the MFA Textiles program at Parsons School of Design, where she was awarded a scholarship.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award has enabled Arouge to pursue her MFA in Textiles at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York, where she is currently in her first year. This opportunity has allowed her to delve deeper into her craft, creating work that challenges and redefines the boundaries of textile design.

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2023 Awardee: Olivia Shearon

I am extremely grateful to have received the Dewar Arts Award. It has helped me to push my creative capabilities to the maximum and contributed hugely towards the cost of materials and the development of my graduate collection. All which may have not been attainable without the funding.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2023
AGE AT AWARD: 21
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.instagram.com/oliviashearondesigns
 
 

Biography

Olivia Shearon is a fashion design graduate from the University of Edinburgh. Her ambition is to create garments that offer a high fashion spin on sportswear, with the desire to empower women.

Much of Olivia’s research is focused upon challenging the often distorted view of society’s perception towards the female form and ‘perfectionism’. She has been inspired by her personal journey with body image and her escape place: the gym and weightlifting. The celebration of all body types is a huge focus within Olivia’s process; highlighting the importance of the human body, its strength, flexibility, and individuality.

Olivia’s designs combine innovative knitwear and exaggerated silhouettes to embody a sense of comfort and functionality, juxtaposed with restriction. This results in garments designed to be adjustable and for layering, styled to the customer’s preference.

How the Award Helped

Olivia’s Award was used to help fund her graduate fashion collection. In the final year of her course, Olivia designed and manufactured a 6-outfit collection, which was shown at Graduate Fashion Week London and the annual Edinburgh College of Art Fashion Show. Funding from the Dewar Arts Awards provided her with the necessary resources to fully explore her creativity and bring her unique vision to life.

Since the Award

In 2024, Olivia graduated with a first-class degree from the Edinburgh College of Art at University of Edinburgh.

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I am extremely grateful to have received the Dewar Arts Award. It has helped me to push my creative capabilities to the maximum and contributed hugely towards the cost of materials and the development of my graduate collection. All which may have not been attainable without the funding.

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2018 Awardee: Jean Oberlander

"I am so grateful for the continued support in my education, it means so much to me"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.oberjean.co.uk/
 
 

Biography

Jean gained a First Class Honours Degree from Gray’s School of Art, where she studied BA Fashion and Textile Design. The course enabled her to experiment within both spheres of material and body using hand and machine knitting. Her degree collection won the Alexandrina McKenzie Legacy Award, a Highly Commended in the BP Graduate Design Award, and was selected for the Visual Arts Scotland Graduate Showcase at the Royal Scottish Academy.

In 2017 Jean moved to London after gaining a place on the MA Textiles course at the Royal College of Art, specialising in Knit. Her MA dissertation received a distinction, and she gave a paper at the “In the Loop” knitting academic conference in July 2018.

Jean continues to work between the body and space to create knitted pieces that are both familiar and unfamiliar. She uses knitting, mark making and writing in her practice to convey the metaphors of the knitted stitch. In the future, she aims to build on her MA and continue to push the boundaries in knit further.

How the Award Helped

Jean received a Dewar Arts Award to support her MA studies at the Royal College of Art.

On achieving her award, Jean said: “Without the Dewar Award I would have not been able to attend the RCA at all. The support meant I was able to pay for tuition fees and materials, without which I would have not been able to make work of any standard. I am so grateful for the continued support in my education, it means so much to me and being on this course has enabled me to build more confidence in my work as well as making connections and experimenting in a supportive and innovative environment. I am eternally grateful for the support in making sure I am able to build a better future for myself.”

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"I am so grateful for the continued support in my education, it means so much to me"

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2015 Awardee: Colleen Leitch

"The Dewar Award has taken the pressure away from my design process and has given me freedom to experiment with new materials."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Born and raised in Edinburgh, Colleen was just 10 years old when she decided she wanted to pursue a career in fashion.  Always passionate about drawing and design, she engaged in her art as a form of escapism.

Colleen has a strong personal connection with photography and the feeling that is evoked when capturing the effects of light. For her, they symbolise a purity of belief and sense of wonder. Through experimentation with materials and textiles, Colleen communicates the effects that light can have on the body.

Colleen graduated from the Edinburgh College of Art with a First Class degree, and went on to show her graduate collection at Graduate Fashion Week, 2014. It was here she achieved the David Band Textile Award and was subsequently nominated for the Scottish Fashion Awards, where she won the Fashion Graduate of the Year.

How the Award Helped

Colleen received a Dewar Arts Award to support her experimentation in design, whilst studying an MA in Womenswear Fashion at the Royal College of Art.

“I want to further explore capturing beauty and feeling of wonder through my designs, to create garments that represent me and my faith.”

Colleen Leitch – Light

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"The Dewar Award has taken the pressure away from my design process and has given me freedom to experiment with new materials."

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2014 Awardee: Jessie White

Being supported by the Dewar Award allows me to spend all of my time in the studio or in an internship, which will highly benefit my work. It is greatly appreciated.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
EMAIL:jessie.snap@hotmail.co.uk
 

Biography

Originally from Devon, Jessie’s family moved to Scotland in 1992.  A passionate fashion designer, Jessie funded herself through a degree course at the Gray’s School of Art.  She proved herself to be an exceptional student, possessing sophisticated technical skills as well as an aptitude for critical thinking.

In 2013 Jessie’s graduate collection, entitled Getting it Wrong, won the BP Design Award.  She was subsequently invited to contribute to exhibitions as well as being offered the position of Graduate in Residence.

Jessie has taught workshops in pattern making, construction and illustration.  She was accepted onto the MA in Fashion Artefact at the London College of Fashion and continues to enjoy working on challenging and diverse projects.

How the Award Helped

Jessie received an Award to fund her masters studies at the London College of Fashion, offering her the opportunity to refine her skills and develop her brand identity.

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Being supported by the Dewar Award allows me to spend all of my time in the studio or in an internship, which will highly benefit my work. It is greatly appreciated.

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2014 Awardee: Hayley McSporran

It would not have been possible for me to study a postgraduate course without the help of the Dewar Awards. I'm eternally grateful.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
EMAIL:hayleymcsporran@hotmail.co.uk
 

Biography

Hailing from Glasgow, Hayley studied fashion design at Cardonald College for three years before moving to Aberdeen in 2012.  She gained direct entry into the third year of a BA Fashion Design at the Grays School of Art, where she demonstrated maturity and focus in her practice.  In 2014 she graduated with a first class honours degree.

Returning to her home town, Hayley was offered a place to study on the Masters in Fashion and Textlies course at the Glasgow School of Art.

How the Award Helped

Hayley’s Dewar Award allowed her to accept her masters place at the Glasgow School of Art.  This is an advanced skills programme which will allow her to develop and hone her individual ‘design signature’.

On achieving her award, Hayley said:

“Having studied Fashion Design for the past five years, I am more determined than ever to work hard and be a successful fashion designer in the industry.  Undertaking the MDes Fashion and textiles course at Glasgow School of Art is an essential step towards my ambition of eventually having my own fashion label. The course itself is providing me with the perfect platform for progression in development of my work and cementing my own creative design identity.”

Since the Award

Whilst studying on the MDes, Hayley continued to impress with her work and was awarded the John Mather Rising Scholarship Award in 2015. Read more here.

Hidden Utopia AW15 from Joe Hart Creative on Vimeo.

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It would not have been possible for me to study a postgraduate course without the help of the Dewar Awards. I'm eternally grateful.

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2013 Awardee: Morwenna Darwell

I feel humbled by the support I have received from the Dewar Arts Awards. The grant has allowed me to take full advantage of my time at The Royal College of Art. Your support went way beyond my expectation, something I feel deeply grateful for.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2013
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://cargocollective.com/morwennadarwell
EMAIL:morwenna_darwell@hotmail.co.uk
 

Biography

Morwenna had an unusual childhood, growing up on a vibrant community farm in Dumfries & Galloway, where her family lived with and supported adults with learning difficulties.  Morwenna describes this as a busy and rich environment where she was able to roam freely around the farm and its many creative workshops.

Attracted by the glamour of fashion, Morwenna aspired to become a fashion designer from the age of 10.  She completed a foundation course at the Leith School of Art and then gained a First Class Honors in Fashion from the Edinburgh College of Art.

Morwenna has demonstrated an outstanding ability and talent through her studies and placements, and has won numerous awards for her work.  Her ambition is to become part of a design team at a design house, and ultimately to set up her own label.  She has been described as a ‘name to watch’ for the future of fashion.

How the Award Helped

Morwenna received a Dewar Arts Award to support her in undertaking a two year ‘Masters in Fashion Womenswear’ course at the Royal Collage of Art.

Since the Award

June 2013 – David Band Textile Award (2nd Prize)

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I feel humbled by the support I have received from the Dewar Arts Awards. The grant has allowed me to take full advantage of my time at The Royal College of Art. Your support went way beyond my expectation, something I feel deeply grateful for.

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2012 Awardee: Adil Iqbal

My aim is to push the boundaries of arts and crafts...through collaboration between communities

YEAR OF AWARD: 2012
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.adildesign.co.uk/
EMAIL:info@adildesign.co.uk
 

Biography

Born and raised in Edinburgh, Adil studied Clothing Design and Manufacture at Heriot Watt University. Since graduating he has built up an impressive portfolio.

Adil’s designs have been showcased at celebrated fashion weeks in London and New York. He has worked with high profile labels including TataNaka and Hugo Boss and has been featured in Vogue. He now runs his own label Adil Design.

Through his work, Adil explores themes of society, culture and time. He incorporates “echos of his travels and his Pakistani heritage”. He has a passion for cross cultural collaboration that promotes the sharing of knowledge and skills.

How the Award Helped

Funding from the Dewar Arts Awards will support Adil’s project work connecting weavers of the Outer Hebrides with embroiderers of Chital, Pakistan. Adil aims to develop an exchange of ideas and techniques, establishing a craft dialogue between the two regions. A series of workshops in Scotland and Pakistan will produce innovative design work consisting of collages, hand drawings, embroidery and digital printed fabrics. Celtic Folklore will be interpreted and translated into contemporary hand-loomed textiles, culminating in a travelling exhibition.

Through this project, Adil hopes to create a bridge between communities and promote cultural awareness between Scotland and Pakistan.

Since the Award

2008 Vogue Feature
2009 Scotsman Feature
2012 Scotsman Feature

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My aim is to push the boundaries of arts and crafts...through collaboration between communities

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2012 Awardee: Lyndsay McNeill

My ultimate aim is to become an independent fashion designer of the future. I believe that studying at L.C.F. with financial assistance courtesy of a Dewar Award would allow me to achieve my goal.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2012
AGE AT AWARD: 21
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.lyndsaymcneill.com/
 
 

Biography

Hailing from Falkirk, Lyndsay has lived in Scotland all her life.  A prolific and diligent worker, she has proved herself to have an exceptional aptitude for fashion design.

In 2012 Lyndsay graduated from the Edinburgh College of Art with a first class honours degree.  Her hard work and obvious talent earned her many accolades whilst she was there, including the Andrew Grant Bequest Fund for her first year’s work, an exhibition at the London Fashion Week and an internship at Jonathan Saunders.  She then went on to gain an unconditional offer to study an MA in Fashion Design Technology Menswear at the London College of Fashion.

Lyndsay’s ambition is to become an independent fashion designer.  She aims to create “an alternative minimalism, where complex cutting and fabric manipulation combine to create a groundbreaking tailored collection of exclusive garments”.  She enjoys pushing and challenging herself in all areas of her design work and hopes her collections will “enhance individuality and challenge the perception of the consumer”.

How the Award Helped

Lyndsay’s Dewar Award supported her in her MA at the London College of Fashion.

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My ultimate aim is to become an independent fashion designer of the future. I believe that studying at L.C.F. with financial assistance courtesy of a Dewar Award would allow me to achieve my goal.

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