Same Fabric, New Expression: The Modernisation of Tartan

Tradition and reinvention are, for me, two words that truly underpin the identity of modernised tartan. With roots in Scottish history and clan symbolism, the patterned plaid represents a visual language of belonging and legacy. In recent decades, tartan has been reimagined by designers like Vivienne Westwood, heritage brands such as Burberry, and pop culture icons—from bands like Sex Pistols to Clueless, directed by Amy Heckerling. Together, they reshaped tartan from a ceremonial textile into a modern wardrobe staple. Few patterns hold such an ever-changing yet enduring legacy.

From the clan-scattered Scottish Highlands to the prestigious postcodes of London, the journey of tartan demonstrates its cultural power—showing that what a fabric stands for can be completely reinvented depending on who gets to tell its story.

That theme of reinvention is alive today in the work of Kelikume Fashion, where recent tartan pieces treat the pattern less like a rulebook and more like a form of creative self-expression. The brand’s founder, Keli, describes what modernising tartan means to her: