Fashion police called in after textile student’s prized garment stolen from display

Nov 24 2010 by Euan McLelland, Wishaw Press

A SHOTTS textiles student hoping to make a name for herself in the fashion industry was dealt a massive blow when one of her prized designs was stolen while on display in southern Scotland.

Twenty-four-year-old Roisin McAtamney was left speechless when a curator at the Borders Textiles Towerhouse contacted her to tell her that one of her most expensive items – a knitted top – had been nicked from her final degree collection display.

The theft of the top, said to be worth about £500, has now sparked a police investigation into how it went missing.

Roisin, who recently graduated from Herriot-Watt University and is now studying for her master’s degree at the London College of Fashion, said: “Me and a select few of my classmates were asked by the curator at Borders Textiles Towerhouse if we would like to display a few of our garments from our final degree collection.

“I happily agreed and the garment exhibition opened at the beginning of October.

“I then received a distressing e-mail explaining how the hand-knitted top had been stolen. I used expensive yarn, put endless hours of work into it and it was one of the best-received pieces in my collection.

“I am devastated as I was planning on selling the design once the exhibition had finished and I could have started to make a name for myself in the fashion world as well as money.”

The curator told Roisin that this was the first-ever theft from a live exhibition at the museum.

Police are now looking into the theft and Roisin has offered a reward for the return of the cardigan.

Roisin added: “I am slightly flattered... but how could some one stoop so low?”