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!)