There is no such thing as a Wong tartan

But that doesn't mean a Wong tartan would be wrong.

The Wong Family Association held a convention this weekend in Toronto, attended by an estimated 1200 people bearing the last name Wong. The first Wongs to arrive in Canada did so in 1858, but the largest migration took place during the period in which the Canadian Pacific Railway was built (1881 - 1884) when it is estimated that as many as 17,000 Chinese men were brought to British Columbia to work on that project.

At the convention the association was presented with a heraldic crest, an official Canadian symbol, by the Canadian Heraldry Authority on behalf of the Queen's representative, Governor General David Johnston, in recognition ofthe contributions made by these men and their descendants over the past 150 years.

Wong Family Crest (Canada)

 So, all this got me wondering if there was, by chance, a Wong family tartan. A quick search of the Scottish Register of Tartans says there is no such thing. But that doesn't mean there couldn't be!

In fact, there are many registered tartans that recognize families, companies and associations not the least bit Scottish.

The Pino Family (Pennsylvania) tartan (Ref No. 10429), for example, was "designed by an Italian-American (who should have been born Scottish) to celebrate her love of bagpipes, Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson."

Pino Family (Pennsylvania) (Personal)

One of the most outrageous corporate tartans, in my humble opinion, is one I have written about before: Hello Kitty (STA Ref 6156).

Hello Kitty (Corporate)

I'm sorry, but aside from the crass commercialism the colours just offend me. It looks like a Pepto Bismol factory exploded next to a weaving mill.

But who am I to say, right? There is no reason I couldn't design a family tartan for the Wong Family Association of Canada that recognized their contributions to nation-building, past and present.

There is no such thing as a Wong - errr, wrong - tartan!

(Crass commercialism of my own... if you are interested in the process and costs associated with designing a family, personal or corporate tartan, feel free to contact me at vicki@tartanhousecanada.com)

Bikers in black leather and kilts - oh my!

Ladies, take a moment to collect yourself, because I am going to paint you a picture of men in kilts that will take your breath away!

Imagine a modern-day Highlander sitting astride his "steed" Harley, in black leather motorcycle boots, black leather jacket, black leather belt with a big-old brass buckle, and a modern, knife-pleated kilt made of tartan that is black, silver, rust orange and a touch of scarlet red. Got the picture? Remember to breathe, and read on.

For some time now, I have been working with a member of the Calgary chapter of H.O.G. Canada in designing a tartan that reflects Canadian Harley owners' affection for their "hogs." This tartan is now registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans as Calgary HOG, although any Canadian Harley owners - men and women - are welcome to wear it in any fashion.

Calgary HOG

The design incorporates the distinctive scarlet red associated with Canada, along with the traditional rust, silver and black colours associated with "Harleys." The first weave of this tartan into a 16-ounce, 100% wool fabric is now available in limited supply. I hope to have it available in both 12-ounce and 16-ounce in time sometime in the fall.

Calgary members intend to have this fabric fashioned into modern kilts to be worn at rallies and other events, with their black leathers. Can you spell "H-O-T" and we don't mean as in warm weather. These guys are gonna look amazing and I eagerly anticipate pictures. (And no, I have no idea what they plan on wearing beneath their kilts!)

 

National treasure created Robbie Burns Night 1942

If you've followed my posts, you know I love tartans, in part, because of the stories that are associated with them. Well, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) tartan is one of Canada's national treasures, and it has a wonderfully storied history.

The tale begins on "Robbie Burns Night," Jan. 25, 1942 in Summerside, P.E.I. Group Captain Elmer G. Fullerton, a Nova Scotian commanding No. 9 Service Flying Training School, had formed a pipe band to perform that night, and decided it should be dressed in regalia that included a tartan reflecting the air force colours. The design he sketched out was sent to a weaving house in New Brunswick which added a white line to his maroon and blue pattern. 

Fullerton then submitted the tartan to his superiors. It was approved by the air force in May 1942 and officially recognized later that year by the Lord Lyon, King of Arms of Scotland. At this point, the RCAF became the first air force in the world with its own official tartan.

Canada's armed forces came into their own during the Second World War, fighting for the first time as Canadians rather than as members of Britain's armed services. The RCAF tartan was just one of the many ways the nation served notice it was fighting on behalf of Canada and not just as a dominion of the British empire.

In 1968, Canada's armed forces were unified and the tartan was abolished, along with the distinctive blue uniforms worn by its airmen. Instead, all members of Canada's armed forces were dressed in generic green uniforms. However, the RCAF Association, a group of air force veterans, preserved samples of the tartan when the RCAF stocks were destroyed. In the late 1980s, when distinctive uniforms for the army, navy and air commands were restored, the RCAF tartan was also resurrected. Thanks to the foresight of the RCAF Association, samples of the tartan were available so the fabric could once again be woven and worn by Canada's service men and women.

Today, the RCAF tartan is worn by members of 402 Squadron and 17 Wing Winnipeg. It is also worn by Air Command Pipes and Drums, which was officially created in October 1949 and is the longest continuously serving Canadian air force pipe band. It constitutes part of the Air Force mess kit as a cummerbund, and is favoured by serving and retired members of Canada's air force.

The RCAF tartan 100% wool, made-in-Canada fabric we offer has always been a best-seller. We have shipped it around the world to serving air force members, as well as to retired members and their families. As swatches, the fabric has a place of honour as the background in many framed displays of medals and photographs commemorating the contribution of Canadian veterans.

Now, we are thrilled to be able to also offer this tartan in a washable, suiting-weight fabric. The specifications are as follows:

• 65% polyester/35% viscose
• machine wash/dry
• sett size 7.5"
• width 60”
• suggested uses:
• casual kilts and pleated skirts
• scarves and sashes
• ties and cummerbunds
• jackets, vests and waistcoats
• table coverings
• drapes

I don't recommend it for heavy upholstery projects, but this polyviscose blend fabric would look incredible if used in a den as drapes and throw cushions.

See prices on RCAF polyviscose fabric here

See prices on RCAF 100% wool fabric here

See prices on RCAF 100% wool fabric swatch here

If you can add to or correct any of the information I have provided here, I would welcome hearing from you!

Canada commemorates Battle of the Atlantic May 1st

Royal Canadian Navy tartan

It took me quite a while to find the story behind the RCN tartan. It is not on any Canadian Forces website, not registered with the Scottish Registry of Tartans in the U.K., and to the best of my knowledge unavailable anywhere other than Tartan House Canada.

But a buyer recently told me what he understands to be the history behind the design. According to him, a member of the navy wanted to put together a pipe band, similar to that of the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force), at the time. Now, since then our armed forces have been amalgamated into the CF with its various army, navy and air force branches. At the time, however, the RCN was still a separate entity.

In any event, the serviceman in question, and I have not been able to identify him (and it must have been a "him.," because this was also before the navy became all-inclusive), wanted his band to have its own tartan, just as the RCAF did, and so he either commissioned its design or designed it himself.

The pipe band has apparently not survived in any form but the tartan is popular with many navy servicemen and women. It played a prominent role in the Orillia (Ontario) Scottish Festival when the Royal Canadian Legion Orillia Branch 34 sponsored the festival in 2010 and commemorated the 100th anniversary of Canada's navy.

I have also shipped fabric to serving armed forces members for displays and to one woman serving on Canada's west coast who planned to wear it for her wedding!

Is it just me or is this totally inappropriate for a wedding tartan?

Kate Middleton and Prince William, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

In November 2010, after the announcement of the engagement of William and Kate (is there really any need to explain who they are?),McCalls Ltd. of Aberdeen, Scotland, designed this tartan to commemorate the event. At the time, the company described the design as: " a stunning contemporary plaid incorporating the beautiful royal blue of the dress worn by his future bride the day they announced they were to wed.
The deep blue also reflects the sapphire in Kate’s engagement ring – the heirloom that belonged to the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

"The tartan, the most recent addition to McCalls’ Pride range of tartans, is a stylish blend of black, charcoal, silver and Royal blue."

As tartans go, it is lovely and will run up nicely as kilts, ties and other clothing for men. But to commemorate a wedding, I would have liked it to reflect a bit more of a feminine influence. As it is, is reminds me more of a mourning tartan, and specifically to mark the death of William's mother, the late Princess Diana, including as it does the blue sapphire among shades of grey and black.

A post on the Lochcarron website, states: "Ian Hawthorne from McCalls describes the tartan as 'Young, understated and strong.'" Personally I see strong, and certainly understated, but "young?" Not so much. In fact, I don't think it reflects the youth and vitality of this couple at all.

So, I will be watching for someone to design something much more lively and cheerful to mark the wedding of William and his new duchess.

Maple Leaf tartan officially recognized as national symbol

The Maple Leaf tartan, a national symbol

In 1964, in the run-up to Canada's 1967 centennial celebrations, Toronto-based designer David Weiser produced the Maple Leaf tartan. It quickly gained popularity as "Canada's tartan" and took its place alongside the other provincial and traditional tartans beloved by Canadians from east to west.


Weiser was inspired by Canada's quintessential national symbol, the maple leaf, and the changes through which it progresses in various seasons. Green in summer, turning to yellow and red in fall, and then brown come winter.

Since its conception, the tartan has been adopted by the Second Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment Pipes and Drum corps, and National Defence has approved its use by Canadian Forces pipers and drummers who do not have a specific regimental affiliation.

Yet while it has always been a popular traditional tartan, it had never been officially recognized  by Parliament as Canada's tartan. On March 9, 2011, Heritage Minister James Moore announced the formal recognition of the role the Scots and those of Scottish descent have played in Canada's exploration and growth as a nation.

I called it! The King's Speech takes top honour at Oscars 2011

I had heard some buzz about a film concerning King George VI of England called "The King's Speech." It didn't seem to have tremendous advertising support behind it but word was it was a fantastic film starring some of my favourite British actors: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter and Jennifer Ehle.

I loved everything about the film, and was blown away by Firth's portrayal of Prince Albert. In fact, every one of the historic portrayals - from that of his father, King George V, to Bonham Carter's Queen Elizabeth (later, the Queen Mother), to his brother Edward VIII - bore out what we now know to have been the family dynamics and individual personalities involved. And I like Edward even less now that before, if that is possible.

If Oscars are truly awarded based on artistic skill, I believed Firth would win best actor and the film will be chosen as best film. I thought Helena Bonham Carter deserved recognition for her portrayal of the reigning monarch's mom, too, but somehow I didn't think that would happen given the rest of the field for best actress.

The sets and art direction were amazing and true to the period in the smallest detail. It was a joy to watch the story unfold, and the experience was made even more poignant when I learned that the writer had withheld completing the story until after the Queen Mother's death at her request.

King George VI (left) and Colin Firth portraying the king

And at the end, I cried. I was so proud of "him"! Of Colin Firth for his amazing performance, and of Bertie for his strength of character. Contrasting the behaviour of elder brother Edward with that of younger brother Albert, the world should be grateful George VI was at the helm during the Second World War. Born to rule or not, he was clearly the right man for the job. 

Colin Firth will now be, forever in my mind, Mr. Darcy and King George VI.