New Xbox controller designs come and go, but few are truly iconic. Step forward Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers (GNK), a Scottish tailor that has teamed up with Xbox to deliver one of the most unique, rare, and frankly gorgeous official pad collaborations yet.
GNK, which partnered with the console to create a bespoke tartan for clothing and accessories, has wrapped just nine Xbox controllers in the fabric, and two of them are being given away for free in a global prize draw.
The company, headquartered on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile, was approached by Xbox to create an official tartan to celebrate two decades of the console’s presence in Scotland. GNK got to work to create a design that used four colors — apple 13, viv green, black, and sc white — to channel Xbox’s green, black, and grey palette, while also nodding to gaming with a “micro-sett pattern inspired by pixelated graphics.”
Each controller was handmade to ensure the pattern stayed properly aligned.
GNK
Each controller — a standard white Xbox pad — was disassembled and hand-wrapped by GNK’s kiltmakers to ensure the pattern hugged the faceplate tightly, while crucially lining up perfectly to maintain the vertical and horizontal patterns across the curved surface.
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Gordon Nicolson, director of Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers, said he couldn’t quite believe Xbox’s initial request, and that the challenge of applying tartan to such a small pattern — and making it fit perfectly on the controller without affecting how it worked — “pushed us in ways we’d never imagined.”
“We’ve had gamers, collectors, and people who’d never have thought about tartan before getting in touch about this collection,” he added. “The whole collaboration means so much to us as a small family-run business, and we’re really proud of how it’s all come together.”
Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, where GNK is based, is one of the most iconic streets in the world.
gettyHow to win a limited-edition Xbox tartan controller
To be in with a chance to win GNK’s tartan Xbox pad, head over to the website and enter your details. Two lucky winners will get a controller, while runners-up will get either an Xbox tartan scrunchie or wallet. You can improve your chances by following, liking, and subscribing on various social platforms, too — but get your name in the hat before 11:59pm GMT (6:59pm ET) on December 8.
If you love the design but don’t win, GNK also has a few other Xbox tartan-covered bits like wallets, hats, and — of course — a bespoke, made-to-measure kilt, yours for just $900 (but currently on sale for just short of $700). If that’s out of your price range, these Xbox tartan trousers are around half that price.