Veske launch new products at Project Tokyo

Veske is a new design led Scottish Lifestyle accessory brand, creating authentic and versatile bags with the highest care and attention to detail from their workshop in Montrose. It is the new sub brand of Montrose Rope and Sail Company ltd which builds on the heritage of the company as inspiration and is the result of an Innovate UK funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Gray’s School of Art.

Veske was selected by Scottish Development International (SDI) alongside 13 other Scottish design and lifestyle brands for their Virtual Trade Mission to Japan and Physical Showcase at Project Tokyo, which was also fully funded and organized in collaboration with UK Fashion and Textiles Association (UKFT).

Amy Gair, Design & Brand Development manager for the Montrose Rope & Sail Company, discusses how the KTP with Grays School of Art supported the launch of Veske: “The aim of this KTP was to design, develop and brand a new range of products, utilising the company heritage story and we have built on that as the inspiration to develop Veske. By introducing innovative materials, product designs and hardware, it has helped to develop a new aesthetic which forms the new range and will help us to reach a high end lifestyle accessories market.”

“We were due to launch last year just as the pandemic hit, so our plans were put on hold for nearly a year. We were selected by SDI to show our Veske products at Project Tokyo in Japan and we thought we would use that to start things off again. Veske has always had a strong commercial strategy with reaching international fashion and lifestyle markets being a focus – showing at Project Tokyo was a great achievement for us to celebrate getting to this point but also as a fresh start to kick things off again.” 

Josie Steed, Fashion and Textiles Course Leader who was part of the KTP Project Team, said: “It’s wonderful to now see the work during the KTP with Montrose Rope & Sail being realised where the company’s ambitions of developing a high premium fashion sub-brand for the global market is now possible, bringing new economic opportunities to the company and the region.

“The Japanese market is a high value market for the Scottish industry and the biggest export market for Scottish textiles in Asia. As Japanese consumers are already aware of what Scotland has to offer in fashion and textiles heritage, there is the potential to educate the Japanese market and younger consumer on Scotland’s wealth of traditional and contemporary design. 

“This virtual trade mission and exhibition provided the opportunity to engage with potential new partners, find a route to market, and launch the brand.”

The new range from Veske features authentic and versatile bags suitable for everyday use and short travel breaks. It is all hand manufactured at the company’s workshop based in Montrose. Veske’s heritage is rich in craftsmanship and boasts a reputation for manufacturing products that are made to last. The parent company, Montrose Rope & Sail Company ltd, was first established in 1789, hand manufacturing ropes and hand sewn sails for the Scottish fishing fleet. Skills and expertise have been passed down the generations of the Paton family, who still own the company today.

The considered and concise Heritage Collection is the first range to be seen from Veske and a snap-shot into what is to come in future. The product shapes have drawn inspiration from the company heritage and archive of products, alongside new design ideas.

For more information, please visit: www.veskebag.com