ONE of Scotland’s most historic towns will be locked down for hours next month for a glitzy bash involved Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
The Holywood A-listers will be among 400 stars to sweep into the quiet town of Linlithgow, West Lothian, for Chanel’s Metier d’Arts art and fashion show.
Several roads will be shut for up to four hours as stars in limousines make their way to Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.
The December 4 event was organised by the French brand’s designer Karl Lagerfeld.
It was suggested Scotland was chosen to host the show after Chanel, famed for its tweeds and cashmeres, recently acquired the 140-year-old Borders cashmere firm Barrie Knitwear.
Linlithgow Palace and its neighbouring park and loch is normally a place where families enjoy a quiet day out.
Linlithgow Business Association chairman David Tait said contractors involved in the preparations were maintaining a veil of secrecy.
He said: “It’s all very hush hush – I know several of the people very well who are dealing with it and their lips are sealed.”
The show’s centrepiece is tipped to be a giant glass cube that will shelter the famous fashionistas from the winter weather as the palace has no roof.
Architect Jennifer Pirie, 24, lives at Beechwood in Linlithgow and is working at the Chanel makeup counter in Edinburgh’s John Lewis over Christmas.
She said: “To know that such a great event is coming to our small town is truly exciting, almost beyond words.
“This brings something for people who love fashion and design but also celebrities and Brad Pitt.
“I have always had a love for Scottish architecture and to know that it is going to be the backdrop of such a high calibre event can only bring good things to not only Linlithgow but all of Scotland.
“Linlithgow Palace in Vogue – who would have thought?”
Linlithgow MSP Fiona Hyslop said: “The Metiers d’Art show is legendary in the fashion world and I am delighted that Chanel has chosen the stunning location of Linlithgow Palace for this year’s event.”
The clothes show features the works of 10 designers working under Chanel’s Paraffection brand which translates as ‘for the love of’.
