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UNESCO Called upon to protect Kilt from the
VATMan
Edinburgh kiltmaker 21st Century Kilts, situated on the Royal Mile and
endorsed by non other than national icon comedian Sir Billy Connolly, is
seeking UNESCO protection claiming Scots customers should not have to
pay VAT on their own national dress.
Fresh from his annual outing at New York's Tartan Week, the company's
owner/proprietor Howie Nicholsby bases his work on preserving the kilt
from becoming diluted by "lower quality options".
The 47-year-old says: "What we are trying to do is protect proper.
hand-sewn kilt making hand-stitched not machine made inside out."
Sir Billy: "A Scottish
kilt-maker called Howie Nicholsby had made me a fantastic kilt for the
occasion. He's at the head of a movement to make the kilt a windswept
and interesting alternative to trousers all over the world, I love
that."
Three Decades, 4th Generation..
Howie is celebrating 30 years since he created his enterprise aged 18,
as the fourth generation in the kilt industry and feeling he needed to
make his own mark within his parent's business Geoffrey (Tailor)
Kiltmakers.
Branded TFCK it was launched at London Men's Fashion Week three years
later with the belief the kilt needed to be more accessible to people
without a Clan/Tartan connection.
In the years to come he regularly attended Scottish Highland Festivals
in the USA and Canada together with NYC Tartan Day celebrations. It was
whilst at the Clothes Show Live at Birmingham's NEC "I met my amazing
wife."
TFCK is viewed at being uniquely positioned available for men wanting
what Howie describes as an "unbifurcated option in their wardrobe" ie a
21st century option not worn with the usual cream socks and Jacobite
shirts.
"Scots should not have to
pay same
amount of VAT on a kilt as they do on
a cheeseburger at McDonald's"!
Hand-Sewn Kiltmaking
Howie doesn't hold back, as he told The Edinburgh Reporter: "We're
trying to get UNESCO for the art of hand-sewn kilt making. I'm at the
point now, having grown up in the industry, where I truly believe we're
the last honest kilt company in the business."
He further claimed: "Every other kilt shop will offer machine-stitched
kilts - cheaper options, but they're not good options, and it's like a
false economy.
"There are companies out that promote that they can make a kilt in 40
hours - that is ridiculous. Our waiting time is 12 weeks but our kilt
maker can make a kilt in 10 to 12 hours, which is affordable.
"Someone promoting that they can make a kilt in 40 hours is not a proper
kilt maker, they're a hobbyist. They cannot make a sustainable living if
minimum wage is around £12 (US$16.35)
Variable VAT Rate Overdue
"Twelve times 40 is £480 ($655) of workmanship. Our kilts are £900
($1,227), the fabrics are £300 ($410), the straps and buckles are £50
($68) - they can't be making money.
"It's like a hobby, which ruins the industry because A. the person isn't
getting a proper kilt and B. it affects the people who are doing it
properly."
The media together with the Scottish Government should back a company
like TFCK so that it does not have to charge a Scots customer 20% tax
"on their own national dress, made in Scotland, employing Scottish
people, fabrics made in Scotland.
It is wrong that "you pay the same (VAT) tax on a cheeseburger at
McDonald's, as you do on a beautiful kilt outfit handmade."
Howie maintains a variable VAT rate is overdue and following the
devolved parliamentary and local council elections, the "new" Scottish
Government should take note! |
