Rarely do we hear good news about the economy and businesses, but Harris Tweed, based in the Western Isles off of Scotland, announced that they ‘were on a roll’.
2012 welcomed the highest demand in the hand spun wool fabric in 15 years, with designers as big as Vivienne Westwood using it. Last year 1 million meters were produced.
With experience of working in a fabric factory, I appreciate the making and weaving of the fabric. The wool is 100% British, being spun using man power and picked and mended to perfection by hand. This just all adds to the rustic charm of Harris Tweed.
So is country chic making a comeback? Well in the 1960’s the Harris Tweed mills were producing around 7 million meters of cloth, 7 times the amount that was produced in 2012 however tweed and tartan are reaching a younger market. With the Islands exporting as far off as Japan, where it is used on everything from headphones to kindle covers! My favourite however are the Harris Tweed Nike trainers. Teamed with a rustic leather jacket and slim fit washed jeans it adds a modern twist on this classic earthy toned fabric.
So I’m thinking Capes, inspired by hunting, lining black leather bags with a tartan; the colours inspired by the moors of Scotland. And warming up your classic winter coat with a Harris clutch.
Interior designers are loving the scottish cloth, with Glasgow’s first 5 star hotel choosing Harris Tweed for its soft furnishings. We can see this reaching through to the high-street with Next home featuring tartan cushions and bedding in their spring catalogue.
Im hoping it can only get better for Harris Tweed, no longer is this label only associated with mens hunting jackets, it’s wearable, its classic, and it’s British.
Dot In Fashion 