"Colors Of Scotland" Take The Stage At Dressed To Kilt

by Rachelle Hruska · March 31, 2009

[Andie MacDowell on catwalk with daughters Rainey and Sarah Margaret. AP]

Go HERE for more of our photos from this event and TAG YOURSELF and YOUR FRIENDS! And, come back later today for more photos from Dressed to Kilt!

Last night, I was honored to be included as a judge at Dressed to Kilt, the annual Scottish inspired fashion show for charity hosted by Sir Sean Connery and wife Lady Micheline. Marking its seventh year, Dressed to Kilt has been dubbed “the highest profile Scottish event in the United States.” The highly-anticipated event features kilted gents and plaid-clad ladies strutting their stuff down the runway for an A-list of judges. This year, the event was the biggest success yet, and, I got the scoop from committee member Kim Bates: "We chose the theme this year carefully (Colors of Scotland). As we are going through very tough times, we are experiencing a tectonic shift in culture that may change the course of human behavior and mindset for a long time to come."

"While many people are embracing the doom and gloom side of it all, others are able to see the positive "silver linings" in the recession. There is an paradoxical "Optimistic Spirit" of the people both in Scotland and in the U.S. happening around us. You can feel in in the "air" vs. the often negative "airwaves". Through the creative use of COLOR and COLORFUL Personalities, the best medicine to lift our spirits this year, we wanted to bring this Positive thinking and Bold Scottish Spirit to the Dressed to Kilt Show. Just for one special evening, we wanted everyone in NYC to sit back, forget about their worries and feed their souls with the creative energies of Scottish-inspired.

Fashion, Poetry, Dance and Music.

The models were electric. Everyone laughed, cheered and smiled last night so mission accomplished!"

This year’s event featured participation from Sir Sean and Lady Connery, Mike Myers, Andie MacDowell, Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl), Kellie Pickler (American Idol), Dario Franchitti (NASCAR driver and Indy 500 Champion), Brian d’Arcy James (Broadway star of Shrek The Musical), Keanan Duffty (fashion designer), Damien Woody (New York Jets), Alex McCord (Real Housewives of New York City), March Schenkenberg (model), Tom Gold (New York City Ballet principal dancer), Whitney Casey (bestselling author and TV personality), Lauren Tempany (Scottish supermodel), Stephanie Willemse (reigning Miss Scotland), Lawrence Tynes (New York Giants). Project Runway‘s Laura Bennett joined a host of bold-faced names as judges for the evening.

Traditional kilts as well as fashion-forward garb are showcased in a lavish display of Scottish pride.This year proceeds from Dressed to Kilt benefit the Wounded Warriors program and the Paralyzed Veterans of America through Friends of Scotland, a non-profit corporation dedicated to advancing contemporary Scottish interests in the United States.