About

Since childhood, I have loved working with textiles. I made my first kilt at the age of 16 for the very good reason that as a Cub Scout leader, I needed one! Kilt making guidance proved to be in short supply, and I was left wondering how my kilt could be made to fit like a glove.

At a later stage in my life, I heard about a kilt school founded by a former Master Kilt Maker of the Gordon Highlanders, who predicted that the art of tailoring the kilt was heading for extinction as a result of the military contracting out their kilt uniform to a manufacturer .

There are different processes in kilt making to accommodate the different markets. The master tailors of the Highland Regiments were driven by their craft to produce and maintain kilts fit for active and ceremonial wear. The commercial kilt process has to consider market and profit.

I have continued to develop my tailoring skills and endeavour to ensure that the knowledge and the skill of the handcrafted tailored kilt is passed on with the depth of understanding of the professional tailoring techniques and theory.

My vision is to raise the public awareness of the tailored kilt, what standards to expect from the kilt of excellence and to make the coaching and ongoing learning of the craft more accessible to those who are inspired to be kilt tailors or who just want to make a kilt for a special person.

Marion Foster, founder of the College of Master Kilt Tailors and the bespoke kilt tailoring business “Askival of Strathearn” has been made an MBE for her services to Scottish craftsmanship in the New Year Honours 2026.

“The award has given me a refreshed and profound belief in the vision of the College of Master Kilt Tailors. It has given me confidence and strength to continue my dedication to making a difference, by delivering and developing the online training programme, resulting in master kilt tailors with the only endorsed and approved certification in the UK (possibly the world).

This programme represents the culmination of my experience and knowledge, a living archive of skills and traditions that I hoped to pass on to the next generation of craftsmen.

One would wonder why the craft of kilt making/tailoring is an endangered craft when there is a huge global demand for the kilt. It’s because the manufactured and ‘off the peg’ kilts are feeding the demand and the kiltmakers supplying the Highland wear shops are a very small part of the end price point. It does not provide a viable livelihood, but it could.”

The MBE is a “stepping stone to ensure the preservation of our cultural heritage where the unique identity of Scottish craftsmanship would be celebrated and preserved for generations to come.”

Marion Foster MBE was one of 400 women nominated and invited to the Women of the Year Lunch and Awards 2026 on Monday, 12th October at the Royal Lancaster London Hotel.

The first Women of the Year Lunch in 1955 – at which 500 exceptional women were honoured – was the brainchild of Tony (Antonella) Lothian, a 33-year-old mother of six. It took place at a time when Britain was radically changing as a result of the war and the Labour government that followed, which she voted for, and was the first of its kind. Since then, Women of the Year has proudly recognised and celebrated the achievements of some of the world’s most incredible and bravest women, and this year was no exception.

The 72nd Women of the Year Lunch and Awards brought together remarkable women from all walks of life to celebrate extraordinary achievements, leadership, and purpose-driven impact across society. Every woman selected to attend the annual lunch is honoured as a Woman of the Year, and at the event, eight special awards were presented to exceptional individuals and collectives whose resilience, innovation, and courage continue to make a lasting difference.

This year has been such a landmark year for Marion and everyone involved with The College of Master Kilt Tailors as her vision for keeping the heritage craft of kilt tailoring alive for future generations comes alive and gathers pace.

The dedication and hard work has been recognised by @WOY2026 and it was a privilege to be nominated and invited to attend the lunch with such an inspiring constellation of women from across the country and beyond.

She celebrated the event in the most fitting way, by making her own dress to attend the function, created using the 3oz 2x2 twill weave 100% silk in Muted Strathearn with a 120 year old Victorian hand made lace collar from Little Viking Vintage, a fabulous Etsy shop that specialises in antique accessories.

LinkedIn: @womenoftheyear • Instagram: @womenofyear • X: @womenofyear • Facebook: @womenoftheyear

Askival of Strathearn Studio

In 2009, I was privileged to purchase “Askival”, a secluded rural residence just 10 minutes from the Fair City of Perth, and my vision included creating a purpose-built studio. The resultant inspiring creative space boasts attractive solid oak beams and a glass gable-end overlooking the beautiful Strathearn Valley. It has the perfect ambience of peace, innovation, and creativity.

Having this wonderful facility allows me to combine earning a living with pursuing my passion to sustain our cultural heritage by raising the profile of the traditional bespoke tailored kilt, taking private commissions and providing training workshops for our future kilt tailors.

As I had identified at a young age, it is difficult to learn the craft through the written word and indeed there is little in the way of written guidance. The skill of kilt making is acquired experientially through excellent coaching and patience. It is, therefore, important to ensure that the knowledge and wisdom of the old guard are not lost, and to grasp every opportunity to pass them on.

While predominantly the quality of the High Street bespoke or mass-produced, off-the-peg kilts is perfectly acceptable, while retaining a competitive price point, the authentic hand crafted tailored, bespoke kilt epitomises an enduring tradition, unsurpassed technique and unique style that must live on.