John Melvin

Male

Edinburgh

United Kingdom

Profile Information:

Profession / role:
Operations Director
Company / organisation:
Sakura Scotland
Website (if you have one):
www.sakurascotland.com
My primary role in relation to fashion is:
Manufacturer
I am looking to discover or buy
New contacts
About me / About business or organisation:
Hello! My name is John and I am from Edinburgh in Scotland. After an extended journey which has taken me through Aberdeen and Tokyo, I am back living in Edinburgh, with my wife, Shizue.

We met whilst I was working in Japan and it is a testament to my negotiating skills (and the appeal of new shopping experiences, I should add) that she gave up Tokyo for Scotland. Sharing the Japanese fondness for tartan, she got on well with a good family friend, David McGill, who also happens to be a tartan designer. Together, they have created the 'Four Seasons' tartan range, and together we have created a company called 'Sakura Scotland'.

We identify closely with an Edinburgh-based charity with strong Asian connections, Scottish Love in Action, and support their amazing work in India through a share of our profits. David has been using his connections from his 'Tartans for Africa' and 'International Tartans' projects to source suppliers in Africa - he will tell you all about this on his profile!
Career history / Company history:
2009 - present
Operations Director at Real History Talks, a family company that brings the dead back to life... via a downloadable audio tour of Edinburgh's city centre. Other tours and languages coming soon
2009 - present
Operations Director at Sakura Scotland, a tartan design company that has created a range targeting the Japanese market
2007 - present
Operations Director at Galink, a company providing bespoke tours to Chinese visitors to the UK
2006 - 07 Did Masters in Tourism Marketing at Edinburgh Napier University (felt like work!)
2004-06 English teacher at the British Council, Tokyo

Comment Wall:

  • David McGill

    Nice pic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Sep 10, 2009

  • Holly Pressdee

    Thank you so much for getting back to me, and yea it definatly whetted my appetite. I have been looking into tartan for the last year.
    Though more from the construction side of things as im a weaver so making them all myself. But it was great to see your photos of the tartan made into really funky garments.
    I will try and get hold of David McGill and i will most definatly look into those website your suggested.
    The work in India sounds interesting, we had a crazy time out there, their skills in making is amazing out there, and would be great to work with them over there. What are you plans for india??
    kind regards
    Holly

    Sep 16, 2009