Islander Edinburgh is creating a special Spirit of Brazil collection using Harris Tweed, celebrating the historic connection between Scotland and Brazil through football, culture and craft.
The Spirit of Brazil tartan project was initiated by Faroque Hussain KPM, Honorary Consul of Brazil in Glasgow, to celebrate the historic relationship between Scotland and Brazil while also supporting the work of International Play Association Scotland. The project has roots in the story of Charles William Miller, who is widely credited with helping introduce football to Brazil. His father was from Fairlie in Ayrshire, giving the story a strong Scottish connection.
Largs Primary School was invited to take part in the tartan design competition because of its local connection to the wider story. Largs is close to Fairlie, linking it geographically to the Miller family story, and the area also has a modern cultural connection to Brazil through Kelburn Castle, which is known for its Brazilian street art.
The winning design became The Spirit of Brazil tartan and was officially registered. The design uses colours inspired by the Brazilian flag, creating a tartan that celebrates football, culture and the connection between the two countries.
Following the response to the registered Spirit of Brazil tartan, people began asking whether the design could also be produced in Harris Tweed. Faroque contacted the Harris Tweed Authority, who connected him with Harris Tweed Hebrides. The mill agreed to weave a short length of the Spirit of Brazil design in Harris Tweed free of charge, allowing the project to be developed through one of Scotland’s textiles.
Islander became involved after Faroque had seen the brand’s products and make-your-own bag workshops on social media. He felt there was a natural fit between the Spirit of Brazil story and what Islander does: Scottish design, Harris Tweed, hands-on craft, and products that people can wear, use and enjoy.
Islander is now creating the first Islander x Spirit of Brazil pieces using the Spirit of Brazil Harris Tweed. The initial products include bags and footwear, helping bring the story to life in a contemporary way and connecting Scotland’s textile heritage with Brazil’s football culture.
The first Islander bags created for the project include the Islander x Spirit of Brazil Mini Satchel, Islander x Spirit of Brazil Wee Satchel, and Islander x Spirit of Brazil Backpack. These pieces will be displayed at Coral Gables Museum in Miami, where The World’s Oldest Football, held by The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, will also be displayed.
For this occasion, Caroline will wear a one-of-a-kind pair of Islander x Spirit of Brazil footwear and carry a matching Mini Satchel, while Faroque will wear a one-of-a-kind pair of Islander x Spirit of Brazil men’s footwear. The footwear and bags have been created using the Spirit of Brazil Harris Tweed, helping carry the story through Scottish design and craft as the football begins its journey from Scotland to Miami.
Any final matchday or FIFA visibility is still to be confirmed. However, The World’s Oldest Football will be displayed at Coral Gables Museum in Miami, and Islander products made with the Spirit of Brazil tartan will also be on display there.
From these first pieces, Islander plans to continue developing a special Spirit of Brazil collection across both retail products and workshop products. As part of this, Islander will donate 20% of wholesale sales from the collection to International Play Association Scotland. Islander has discussed this with Tam Baillie from IPA Scotland.
For Islander, the project is a chance to take a very special piece of Scottish textile design and turn it into products that can travel with the story. Islander has built its brand around making Scottish materials feel relevant, wearable and accessible. Through its shops and make-your-own bag workshops, the business gives customers the chance to connect with Harris Tweed and Scottish design in a hands-on way.
The Spirit of Brazil project brings together Scottish craft, Harris Tweed, colour, storytelling and products people can use and enjoy. The Spirit of Brazil project comes at an exciting time for Islander, as the business prepares to open its new London store in Covent Garden, at 29 Shorts Garden.
The expansion into London is a major milestone for the Scottish brand, which has grown through its stores and workshop experiences in Edinburgh and St Andrews.
Covent Garden felt like the right location for Islander because it attracts visitors from all over the world while also having a strong focus on independent brands, retail theatre and experience-led shopping. This fits naturally with Islander’s make-your-own bag workshops and its focus on Scottish design.
The new store will allow Islander to bring its products, workshops and Harris Tweed story to a much wider international audience while keeping Scottish craft and hands-on experience at the heart of the business.
For more information on Islander Edinburgh, click here.
