The Barga – Scottish connection is well known but this morning came news of yet another in the long list of links between the two cultures. Once again it was the designer, Mike Lemetti making headlines in some of the UK newspapers with another of his designer tartans. Mike, whose mother Emilia Biagi was born in Castelvecchio Pascoli and is related to the Ghiloni and Pellegrini families from this area, this time has made the news with his company, ClanItalia of Falkirk for the “Dressed to Kilt” event which is held annually in New York to showcase Scotland’s flourishing fashion industry.
The chart topping musician Paolo Nutini was in America during last month’s New York Tartan week and was dressed to thrill in a custom-made suit by Clan Italia. Set up by Camelon chip shop boss, Michael Lemetti, the company produces clothes and accessories made from Italy’s National Tartan.
Paolo took to the stage at the “Dressed to Kilt” event in the suit and afterwards personally thanked Michael as well as ordering a pair of jeans made from Italian tartan.
Michael, managing director and creator of the Italian tartan said, ” it was one of my proudest moments when Paolo stepped onto the stage to perform the events opening song Caledonia. People may think a tartan suit if twee, but I don’t think anyone who saw Paolo that night left thinking that! He showed the world that Tartan can be cool and he told me that he loved wearing it”
After attending last month’s show, Clan Italia now has interest from companies such as First National Bank of Long Island and Michael has even approached business magnet Donald Trump about a venture.