Hannah McDonald Is the Designer Proving Why Scotland Deserves a Seat at Fashion’s Global Table
Hannah McDonald Is the Designer Proving Why Scotland Deserves a Seat at Fashion’s Global Table
Pictured : Hannah McDonald and her parents
There’s a quiet storm brewing in the highlands—and her name is Hannah McDonald.
At just 22, Hannah is part of the new wave of designers reminding us that fashion isn’t just born in Paris or Milan. Sometimes, it’s handcrafted in the west coast of Scotland, steeped in history, stitched with poetry, and shipped to the world.
Hannah’s story doesn’t begin in a fashion school or backstage at a runway show. It starts at Glasgow University, where she studied law and earned her degree with honors. But while everyone else was chasing the traditional route, Hannah was busy building something of her own: HKMdesigner, her bespoke corsetry label that quickly caught international attention. Her first major commission? A custom corset for influencer Clawdeena to wear on a red carpet in L.A. And just like that, things took off.
What sets Hannah apart isn’t just her talent—it’s her tenacity. After navigating health challenges that paused her creative journey, an unexpected message from Scotland Fashion Week changed everything. The opportunity: design a look around the theme “Country Couture” for a chance to debut at the Dressed to Kilt show in New York City.
She delivered.
Pictured : Cutty Sark by Hannah McDonald
Her winning look, titled “Cutty Sark,” is a love letter to Scottish heritage. Inspired by the line “Weel done, Cutty-sark!” from poet Robert Burns, the design draws from countryside elegance, thistle silhouettes, the sharp lines of riding coats, and even whiskey-glass tailoring. And in true 2025 fashion, Hannah made sure it was sustainable—crafted from repurposed luxury fabrics with care and intention.
A week after finding out she won, Hannah was in New York with her family, watching her vision come to life on an international runway. The moment was big—not just for her, but for what it means for young designers outside the fashion capitals.
Scotland isn’t just a place of rolling hills and romantic landscapes. It’s a breeding ground for fresh, untapped creative voices—designers like Hannah who blend history, storytelling, and skill in a way that feels both rooted and revolutionary.
In a world where we often look to the same names and cities for what’s next, Hannah McDonald is a reminder to look north—to Scotland, to new perspectives, to where fashion’s next chapter might quietly be unfolding.