June 2025 saw Jonathan Bailey feature on the cover of British GQ, with styling centred on craftsmanship, heritage and the modern British identity. As part of the editorial, ACS supplied one of our Grey Spirit kilts to the GQ team, integrating Scottish Highland dress into a contemporary context.
Bailey’s cover interview reflects on perspective and purpose at a pivotal stage in his career. “There’s a lot to be in awe of,” he notes, speaking to the importance of remaining grounded amid high profile roles and global recognition. That sense of awareness and respect for legacy mirrors the cultural weight of the kilt itself.
Jumper by JW Anderson. Kilt by ACS, resale from Depop. Socks by Falke.
The kilt is one of Scotland’s most recognisable national garments, with origins in the seventeenth century Highlands. Evolving from the belted plaid into the tailored form worn today, it became a marker of regional and clan identity through distinctive tartan patterns. Despite periods of suppression in the eighteenth century, Highland dress re-emerged during the nineteenth century as a symbol of cultural pride and heritage. Today, tartan continues to hold relevance across luxury fashion, formalwear and editorial styling.
Jacket by Martine Rose. Kilt by ACS, resale from Depop. Socks by Falke. Shoes by Bottega Veneta.
Its inclusion in a major GQ cover story reinforces the continued importance of garments with provenance. Within the shoot, the kilt provided structure, texture and narrative depth, balancing traditional craftsmanship with contemporary styling. The result positioned Scottish heritage not as historical reference, but as a living and adaptable element of modern menswear.
For ACS, supporting the GQ styling team demonstrates how heritage garments can sit confidently within premium fashion media. This blend of contemporary celebrity and historic costume also reflects broader fashion trends that have seen tartan reinterpreted in everything from runway collections to interior design, underlining the pattern’s enduring appeal.
Credits:
Styling by Tobias Frericks
Tailoring by Faye Oakenfull
Grooming by Petra Sellge
Produced by Farago Projects
