I started my own business at 21, teachers said it would flop, but Shania Twain is a fan

Award-winning Scottish fashion designer Siobhan Mackenzie always dreamed of making it in the fashion world.

At the age of thirteen, she saved her pocket money to buy her very first sewing machine. Despite her teachers telling her she wouldn’t succeed, Siobhan defied all odds and is now one of the country’s top designers.

4

4

4

Today, her look is worn by global superstars such as pop star Justin Bieber, musician and actor Jared Leto and most recently by the Queen of Country Pop herself, Shania Twain.

The iconic country singer wore a Siobhan design as she performed at the inaugural Stirling Summer Sessions festival, which took place outside the city’s historic Stirling Castle late last month.

The designer, who originally hails from the Black Isle in the Highlands, knew she wanted to dress the icon after seeing a gorgeous leopard print fabric. She contacted the singer’s manager, who happened to be a fellow Scot.

She said: “I managed to get in touch with him and when he called me it turned out he was Scottish.

“There was an immediate Scottish affinity, you know, we like to help each other Scots. He showed her my work and she wanted to wear it.

“Then I added some Swarovski crystals to it so it really sparkled when the lights came on stage. It was amazing to see her in it.”

Trendsetter Siobhan had designed an entire ensemble, including a glittering corset and tulle cape sleeves, which perfectly complemented the half-tartan, half-leopard mini skirt. But in classic Scottish style, the weather took a turn for the worse at the outdoor event, and the country singer had to wrap up warm in a chic black turtleneck.

The 31-year-old designer explained how special it was to attend the show with her mother and see such a huge star, who she always listened to growing up, wearing one of her pieces.

She said: “It was my mum’s birthday present so we already had tickets. It was really the icing on the cake to see Shania in my brand and experience that with my mum.

“My mom started crying when she came out, she was so proud. It was really nice, a very special moment to share with her.”

She continues: “I feel like I grew up with her songs being played at every family party.

“I come from a really big family, my aunt used to throw New Year’s parties and I just feel like the soundtrack was Shania Twain songs. So I find it really nostalgic.”

The country singer posted a message on Instagram praising her “talented” designer to her 2.5 million followers.

Shania posted a photo of herself on stage in a modern kilt, captioning it: “Scotland that was incredible!

“Playing in front of the 800+ year old Stirling Castle felt very magical and of course I had to mark the occasion – an iconic kilt for an iconic setting!! Tartan meets leopard print. Created by the talented @siobhan_mackenzie.”

Talented stylist Siobhan says it’s great to see megastars like Twain and Bieber wearing her signature, contemporary tartan designs inspired by Clan Mackenzie. She would love to see Scotland play a prominent role in the fashion industry.

She noted: “I think all the big brands in the world source their textiles from Scotland.

“Chanel, Burberry, Hermes. We supply Scottish textiles to the world’s leading brands. My ethos has always been, well, why can’t we make them from Scotland?”

Growing up in the Highlands, Siobhan says she was always very introverted and was rarely seen without her sketchbook in her hands.

She said: “I was always sketching, I was more of an introverted child. I was always happy to sketch in a corner somewhere, and it was always clothes that I drew.”

At the age of ten, she wanted to become a fashion designer. At thirteen, she had already saved up to buy her first sewing machine. In addition, she received extra help in learning to sew from a helpful home economics teacher.

I really wanted to pursue my dream of becoming a fashion designer. I knew what I needed to get into college or university and I really didn’t want anything to hold me back.

Siobhan Mackenzie

The stylist said: “It wasn’t something that was in the curriculum. She just wanted to support my dreams.

“She was probably the only teacher who really supported me at school, because I was quite ill during my exam years.”

Due to illness, Siobhan spent some time in hospital and out of school. Teachers told her she would never achieve her dream of becoming a fashion designer or even get into university, but the support of her home economics teacher made all the difference.

She continued: “She was really there for me. Without her support, I probably would have dropped out of school.

“I went to her class and cried when people and other teachers were horrible to me.

“I really wanted to pursue my dream of becoming a fashion designer. I knew what I needed to get into college or university. I really didn’t want anything to hold me back.”

Despite being told she would never achieve her dream career, Siobhan studied at home and in hospital so she wouldn’t fall behind and fail her exams.

In 2014, Mackenzie proved those who doubted her wrong when just five days after graduating with a First Class BA Honours degree in Fashion Design & Production, she launched her own homemade brand – at only 21 years old.

In the decade since she launched her brand, she has collaborated with Caorunn Gin and the LVMH Group, and even designed over 400 outfits for Team Scotland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.

She tells The Scottish Sun that she kitted out her home country’s athletes for the Games and was named the best-dressed nation at the opening ceremony, a highlight of her career.

She said: “When I saw them walk into the stadium, that moment stood still in time and the hairs on my arms stood on end. It was unbelievable. It’s really hard to put into words.

“People ask me about celebrities I’ve dressed, but that’s just the proudest moment for me. To have the honor of designing for your entire country, I don’t think there’s a word for it.

“It’s really spectacular and a great privilege to be able to do that and to have that trust in you as a designer.”

The sky is the limit for the Scottish designer and she has her sights set on another famous country singer.

She said: “I really want to dress Taylor Swift. I think she would look really cute and something with a tartan and glitter.”

4