UPCYCLED fashion inspired by one of the world's greatest designers is set to go on display at a Borders landmark.

Students from Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design in Galashiels were inspired by the designs of Dame Vivienne Westwood and patterns found in nature when producing their new exhibition 'Future Design Talent'.

Running from Saturday, September 9 to Saturday, September 30, the exhibition will feature work from the school's six undergraduate programmes - Fashion; Communication Design; Fashion Branding and Promotion; Interior Architecture and Design; Design for Textiles and a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Technology.

Bruce Roberts, programme director of studies for fashion and fashion technology at Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design and organiser of the exhibition, said: “People often think of our school as just focusing on textiles and fashion.

"But our programmes also cover subjects like interior architecture and design and fashion branding and promotion.

"For example, the exhibition showcases the work of the Interior Architecture and Design students who designed a new nursery concept called ‘Little Roots.’

“We hope this exhibition connects with the wider local community and showcases the variety of programmes and education we are offering at Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design.”

The Vivienne Westwood project, in collabration with the British Red Cross charity shop in Galashiels, was created following the famed designer's death in December 2022.

For the project, students received donations from the charity shop which hadn't been sold and were tasked to upcycle them into a new garment.

“The project happened just after Vivienne Westwood passed away, so the brief for the students was to create a new garment which was influenced by her designs,” Mr Roberts explained."

Dame Vivienne was named as an honorary graduate of Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design in 2008.

Sustainability is a fundamental theme throughout the exhibition.

Mr Roberts added: “Around 87 per cent of materials used in clothing end up in landfill. That's about one truck load every second.

"And only about 1 per cent of clothes are actually recycled into new garments.

“So we have a major issue in the industry with regards to sustainability. Every programme we are now delivering at Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design is underpinned by sustainability practises.”

The other side of the exhibition includes a third year project on biomorphism - designs modelled on naturally occurring patterns and shapes.

Shona Sinclair, curator from Live Borders - which manages Old Gala House - said: “We are thrilled to be hosting this fantastic exhibition of student work and also exploring some of the rich history of Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design, which has its roots in the thriving 19th century textiles industry of the Scottish Borders.”

Prize-winning textile design students will be among the other students showcasing their work.