For nearly a decade Southern Lakes Tartan has worked alongside New Zealand wool and textile industries to create its distinctive, tailormade tartan fabric inspired by a mix of Central Otago colours.

“We believe in using natural materials and keeping quality workmanship here in Aotearoa,” says Hilary Johnstone, whose mother Shona Johnstone designed and crafted the original tartan to reflect the Southern Lakes environment she loved.

“My mother produced her appealing tartan design while in her 80s using early skills she learned as a student at the Royal School of Needlework and London School of Weaving. She was very proud to get approval from the Queenstown Lakes mayor at the time who gave her blessing and the tartan was duly registered and became the official Southern Lakes tartan,” says Hilary.

Hilary is committed to keeping her mother’s tartan alive.

“We are always overwhelmed by the feedback we get as more and more people discover our exclusive and beautifully warm tartan products that are a legacy of this region.”

Southern Lakes Tartan’s products include rugs, throws, cushions, upholstery fabric, kilts, hats and scarves which are available from select local outlets such as the Cardrona Hotel and online at www.southernlakestartan.nz