The Title of "Master Kiltmaker"

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I would agree with Ayin-- Masters practice their craft, and help their apprentices learn the "craft" of what they do. Paul Revere was a master silversmith; he didn't run a school in Boston teaching bowl making. The same with Henry Nock. He was a master gun maker, not someone running a school for gunsmiths.

Rather than write to the Lord Lyon or the College of Arms about this fellow's risible attempt at tradesman's arms, I would think that a letter to the Tailor's Guild in London, asking if this fellow is a member of the guild or in some way qualified to present himself to potential customers as a master tailor or master kilt maker, would be more in order. If one could be bothered to ask at all.

[Bugbear]

I very much wonder about this difference between "tailored" kilts and kilts made in the "old traditional ways." What are some spacifics to look for in the construction of the kilt?

[O'Callaghan]

In the UK in general, traditional 7 year apprenticeships were supplanted by the CGLI Craft qualifications, generally taking four years of part time college one day a week during the academic year while working at their trade the other four days of the week, each year numbered C1 to C4 in ascending order and getting a separate certificate for each year, where a C4 is usually entitled to call themself a Master Plumber or Master (whatever). I don't think there's a C4 in kiltmaking, though.

(ETA: But there probably is a C4 in Tailoring. I'd be very surprised if there isn't, in fact)

Vocational Qualifications are another and more recent scheme that I know less about. I would guess that if someone has one of those in kiltmaking they ought to be able to call themself a Master Kiltmaker, though.

[slohairt]

Yeah, whoever dressed these models needs a few simple lessons in traditional highland dress---sporrans askew, love the way the ghillie brogue laces are tied up to their knees on some of them, and I think if I were going somewhere in a PC I would probably shave first.

But how come nobody but me noticed all the sweet looking babes on the guys home page? Kilts on the brain or what?

I noticed! I spent a considerable amount of time in the corset section, I'll have you know! Anyway, it just wasn't, um, relevant to our discussion.

[macwilkin]

I would agree with Ayin-- Masters practice their craft, and help their apprentices learn the "craft" of what they do. Paul Revere was a master silversmith; he didn't run a school in Boston teaching bowl making. The same with Henry Nock. He was a master gun maker, not someone running a school for gunsmiths.

Rather than write to the Lord Lyon or the College of Arms about this fellow's risible attempt at tradesman's arms, I would think that a letter to the Tailor's Guild in London, asking if this fellow is a member of the guild or in some way qualified to present himself to potential customers as a master tailor or master kilt maker, would be more in order. If one could be bothered to ask at all.

The STA should be notified, though, since he is claiming his status comes from them.

T.

[slohairt]

Sure, I'll notify them.

[slohairt]

Anyhow, I look over the site again, and couldn't find anything that stated he received his title from the STA.

As for his tartan ranges, aside from his 'special weaves', it would appear that he exclusively uses Marton Mills' fabric. There's nothing wrong with that, but to charge over £699 for a kilt made from the most inexpensive tartan there is, well...

He also sells the fabric, but everyone should realise that it marked up in excess of 300%.

[Riverkilt]

If I recall the bit about the title being from the STA and him being one of only 26 was from an interview.

His About Us page on the website says,

"Upon leaving the service he decided to take on the challenge of making a difference in the kilt making world and now, eight years on, he is the youngest master kilt maker of which there are only 26"

But he doesn't mention STA other than to say he's a member.

[beloitpiper]

A HA! I found a few tidbits hidden in the "About" section, which you can find at the bottom of the homepage.

(The bolded emphasis is mine)

Upon leaving the service he decided to take on the challenge of making a difference in the kilt making world and now, eight years on, he is the youngest master kilt maker of which there are only 26....He was awarded the title of military Master Kilt Maker in 2007....We have also been busy trying to set up the first London Kilt Making Guild to teach kilt making to students.....The Master Kilt Maker is one of only 26 master kilt makers in the world. Based at the enterprise units at Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Thomas has a growing business with an impressive portfolio of clients. He has helped to set up the London kilt making guild in association with the London School of Fashion and his product is now dominating the London market.

I'm pretty sure he is saying that he is a MILITARY master kilt maker. Is this a real title in the military, or is he making that up?

[Paul Henry]

I'd love to find out more about the London Kilt Making Guild, I live in London, and I make Kilts, if it exists, I'd be very interested.