Mack and Rose wasn’t always called Mack and Rose. When I started selling vintage clothes it was under the name English Rose Vintage, a name that not only celebrated my middle name Rose, but also my affection for the timeless beauty of the flower itself. Initially, the focus was exclusively on women's vintage fashion—a curated collection of the past's treasures. However, as I expanded to include menswear, I realised the brand needed a name that mirrored this broader scope.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s influence on Mack and Rose
At that point, I was surrounded by Glasgow’s rich tapestry of culture and history, deeply influenced by the architectural brilliance of Charles Rennie Mackintosh (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Rennie_Mackintosh) and his renowned Glasgow Rose motif. This emblem, a refined and stylized interpretation of the natural rose, struck a chord with me. It was both a nod to the city that was becoming my home and a symbol of artistic elegance that transcended simple floral representation.
Mack and Rose’s transition
Thus, the transition to Mack and Rose was natural—a dual homage to my Scottish surroundings and my English origins. But the evolution didn't stop with a new name. As I delved deeper into Glasgow’s artistic legacy, particularly its strong heritage in textile arts fostered by the Glasgow School of Art, my business took a significant turn. The vintage pieces I once sold began to serve as canvases for embroidery, transforming each garment into a unique piece of wearable art.
I used the inspiration from The Glasgow Rose as my logo for many years. When it became time for an update I decided to switch from a traditional rose to a rock rose. A flower that's petals look a little crumpled, a little like some of the vintage clothes that I receive. I have always found beauty in the imperfect or unusual so it made sense that I fell for an unconventional rose.
Mack and Rose today
Today, Mack and Rose specialises in wholesale embroidered merchandise, using vintage and second hand clothing as the foundation for our creations. This new focus allows us to celebrate and preserve the old while injecting a fresh, contemporary spirit through embroidery. Each piece is a blend of past and present, crafted to stand the test of time.Through Mack and Rose, I endeavour to weave together the threads of history, art, and fashion into a tapestry that is richly adorned with the past but vibrantly alive with the present. Creating a brand that celebrates the fusion of traditional and contemporary, of local and international. This duality mirrors Glasgow itself, a city that is both deeply Scottish yet dynamically global.
