Bella Freud collaborates with Neal’s Yard Remedies

Apothecary brand Neal's Yard Remedies, known for its natural and organic health and beauty products, has collaborated with British designer Bella Freud on its campaign to save Britain's bee population. 

As part of this campaign, Bella Freud has designed an exclusive T-shirt supporting the cause. All proceeds will be donated to bee conservation and nature-friendly farming initiatives. 

Made in Dorset from 100% soft organic cotton, this limited-edition classic white T-shirt pays homage to the humble yet vital bee in the eponymous label’s signature style. The Bella Freud x Neal's Yard Remedies collection is now available to buy on nealsyardremedies.com.

Harris Tweed Celebrates UK Revival in London. Production soared to 1.7 million metres last year.

Harris Tweed, the celebrated cloth which a long time ago may have been synonymous with the "Miss Marple" look, continues to be a high fashion favourite today with many of the world’s leading fashion houses vying for the fabric as a staple of their A/W collections, recognising the quality that comes with the ‘Made in Britain’ tag.

Celebrating the UK’s revived love affair with the luxury hand-woven fabric as part of this season’s London Fashion Week, the sought-after Harris Tweed took pride of place at the Dover House in Whitehall to mark sustained global production growth over the past seven years - particularly in the UK market.

The guest list of VIPs who enjoyed a Hebridean gala on Monday night, February 22, with traditional Scottish music and fare, hosted by the Harris Tweed Authority and the Secretary of State, David Mundell, MP.

Outfits from UK designers such as Nigel Cabourn, Art Comes First and Walker Slater as well as two ensembles straight from Margaret Howell’s London Fashion Week collection were showcased on the catwalk. 

According to the Harris Tweed Authority, the UK market for Harris Tweed has grown exponentially over the past two years, with a significant increase in UK based orders.

 Across the entire sector in 2015, production of the unique and legally protected hand-woven cloth soared to 1.7 million metres.

Thanks to seasoned and new designers embracing the versatility of Harris Tweed it has witnessed a welcomed resurgence across many home collections.

As British designer Margaret Howell who showed at London Fashion Week on Sunday and has a long affiliation with Harris Tweed said: “A lover of wild open spaces, I feel an empathy with Harris Tweed. Weaving on hand looms creates a depth and complexity of texture that can’t be imitated by a mechanical process. The resilient wool, the designs in earthy colours – reflect the landscape, the climate and the skills of the local people who produce it.

“I’ve always been attracted by its authenticity, and chose Harris Tweed when designing my first winter jacket and overcoat. I’ve used it ever since.”

The renewed affection for the fabric in the UK as well as aboard is a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the weavers, the work of the mills and Harris Tweed Authority who work tirelessly to promote and protect this iconic industry which is protected by an Act of Parliament and more recently a Grant of Arms.

Harris Tweed Authority chairman, Norman L Macdonald said: “The UK market really understands the quality and unique characteristics of Harris Tweed. We are so proud to see the cloth which is hand-woven at the homes of just 175 weavers on the islands of Lewis and Harris transformed in to stunning collections which are shown on catwalks of the world’s fashion capitals.

“We are grateful to have such support and loyalty from designers and fashion houses on our doorstep as well as our international clients.

“To celebrate in the UK capital at the start of London Fashion Week is a perfect way to mark our continued growth and the craftsmanship that still remains true to honouring the unique production methods of Harris Tweed.”

With the industry now estimated to be worth nearly £11 million, it plays a significant role - not only for employment on the Hebridean islands but also the industry’s contribution to both Scotland and UK economies.

Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said: “ Harris Tweed is a beautiful product – close to its heritage and geographic roots, yet setting trends right across the world."

All photos above by Stewart Bryden, issued on behalf of the Harris Tweed Authority by Weber Shandwick.

Iconic Harris Tweed Receives Ultimate Accolade

                            --- Grant of Arms awarded to further protect the Scottish cloth ---

Earlier this month, the Harris Tweed Authority announced that it was granted the ultimate seal of approval from Lord Lyon King of Arms, Dr. Joseph Morrow QC, who has bestowed upon the business a Grant of Arms.

Lord Lyon, with Norman MacDonald chairman of the Harris Tweed Authority and Letters Patent
Photo issued on behalf of the Harris Tweed Authority by Weber Shandwick.  

The luxury cloth was presented with the official Letters Patent at a presentation ceremony in Edinburgh on 10 February at the Court of The Lord Lyon at HM New Register House.

This honour, which complements the existing Harris Tweed Act of 1993, gives the cloth the lawful right to bear a Coat of Arms under complete protection against any unauthorised use.

It means that Harris Tweed, which is defined as cloth, hand woven only by the islanders of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra in their own homes, using pure virgin wool that has been dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, is the only material in the world that can be presented as Harris Tweed and bear its renowned Orb Certification Mark.

Photo issued on behalf of the Harris Tweed Authority by Weber Shandwick.  

The arms incorporate the elements of the Harris Tweed Authority’s logo with the motto, “Guardians of the Orb”, appearing on the Letters Patent. The Authority also uses the Gaelic phrase ‘Ughdarras a Chlo Hearaich’, which translates as ‘Trustee of Harris Tweed’.

The prestigious award further strengthens the cloth’s position as a respected leader in the clothing manufacturing industry. 

Made in Britain debate to launch Buy British Day 2015 set for October 3rd

An event to endorse buying British products will be held on October 3rd at London's King's Cross.

This year, partnering with Made In Britain will be Wayne Hemingway’s The Classic Car Boot Sale in Granary Square, London – and central Preston (way north), in a pop-up retail outlet in the middle of the Fishergate shopping centre and on the Preston Train Station concourse.

Cherchbi - one of the British-made brand currently on show at Design Junction, Victoria House, Holborn.

Buy British Day 2015 was kick started earlier this week at ‘The Great British Debate’ hosted by Best of Britainia at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts.  The conversation subtitled ‘Can we make it all here?’ where British brands, manufacturers and industry figures came together and discussed the opportunities, limitations and future of British manufacture and design.

Engaged in a lively debate was a panel of experts, campaigners and commentators including shirt-maker Emma Willis MBE, Patrick Grant of Norton & Sons and E.Tautz (of BBC The Great British Sewing Bee series) , Drapers editorial director Eric Musgrave, Jonathan Jones of Tregothnan Tea, Made In Britain’s John Pearce, managing director of The Manufacturer Nick Hussey, British Chambers of Commerce Adam Marshall and Kate Hills from Make It British. 

With Best of Britannia’s own Antony Wallis as host, the panel’s discussion touched upon:

·         the use of the Union Jack in branding as a mark of excellence, and the esteem with which the flag as a ‘made in Britain’ marker is received; UK brands’ reticence in using it, as negative perceptions can arise from so-called ‘nostalgia branding’ and the assumptions that a product is made in Britain when in fact it has been made elsewhere

·         proximity to market and its associations with growth in industry – with mention of boat building in the UK

·         there is no reason NOT to make everything in the UK, but the progression and growth of smaller British manufacturers are restricted by lack of investment to make it viable; growing British manufacture is a long, slow process, but worth the investment – we just need the investors; predictions that investment in British manufacture will come from abroad

·         the value of media in demonstrating to the consumer the manufacturing process and where and how their product is made: from pattern-cutting to building, the role of storytelling – and how brands need to get better at telling their stories

·         the pro’s and con’s of the GREAT campaign – it achieved astonishingly positive results as a vehicle for promoting British innovation, but small brands got lost in the system

An initiative from Best of Britannia – an annual event and website that showcases more than 200 of the very best British-made brands and products – Buy British Day aims to engage with consumers who care about the provenance of what they’re buying.  See you there!

New launches spotted at SCOOP International fashion fair in London

This season’s SCOOP International fashion trade fair held in London earlier this week, held concurrently at the Saatchi Gallery on King’s Road and also Phillips Gallery near Victoria Station, was a good opportunity to seek out new and  interesting British brands, especially in the area of bags, footwear and scarfs.

Among those that caught my eye was the new British handbag and scarf brand Mury which showcases designer Anja Mury’s ability to combine urban chic with functionality for her range of simply shaped bags, shoulder pouches, clutches and shopping bags, as well as cotton scarfs that sport the same geometric designs.

The debut Mury collection features 3D graphic designs screen-printed on canvas with a definite London Urban feel.  While the bags are made in Britain, the materials are made in high-tech fabrics developed in Italy.   The canvas is first coated with PVC before being printed, then a textured finish is applied to create a 3D effect. And Anja's passion for blending experimentation with functionality are evident in the range of modern designs. The bags are padded and have a luxurious touch, while answering to the demands of modern urban living. Although the brand is just one year old, designer Anja Mury had worked for a number of top names in the industry, including Vivienne Westwood, Pringle of Scotland under Clare Waight Keller (now Chloé) and under Alistair Carr (ex Balenciaga) and Peter Pilotto.

Also making a debut launch this season was footwear brand NEON.  Emphasising the brand’s Born in Britain concept, managing director Sarah-Jayne Newey, explained that NEON focuses on British craftsmanship and manufacturing.   

Wearing one of her new trainers in an electric blue,  Sarah-Jayne explained that the shoes are comfortable to wear because they are inbedded with a memory foam that cushions the feet.   Sarah-Jayne said she has more than 10 years’ experience in the footwear fashion industry working for large retailers, but noticed a real gap in the market for a luxurious, stylish and yet comfortable trainer, so NEON was born.  “I am always on the go, I like to look good  and with my finger on the pulse of up and coming fashion trends and market changes,  I wanted to create a shoe that fit my look, and got me from meeting, to event, to exercise class – all form part of the inspiration for NEON."

Many of the NEON trainers feature the entire shoe, including the wedge and laces, in a single block colour and for the Autumn/Winter 14-15 collection the colours are rich and bold, and the leather ranges from a beautiful soft nubuck in Peroxide White to a fine grain leather in Pool Blue.  

“After spending years working with factories abroad and import/export regulations I decided to look at what the UK had to offer in terms of footwear manufacture.  We pride ourselves on British craftsmanship when it comes to luxury items such as yachts, motor cars and fashion clothing so why not offer the same precision service when it comes to shoes? Our materials are all sourced in the UK; a favourite of mine has to be the Kid skin – it is supple and velvety,” said Sarah-Jayne.
Surely, Neon is on the right track.  The trainer is one of the hottest footwear trends to-date, in-line with the current sportswear movement, as demonstrated by Chanel where Karl Lagerfeld models wore trainers with their couture outfits at the Spring/Summer 2014 show. 

Photo by Lucia Carpio for MyFashionConnect.

Beautifully designed scarfs in silk as well as wool at Age of Reason also caught my attention, where designer Ali Mapletoft was keen to show off her range of alluringly designed digital prints translated onto oversized scarfs, headscarves, snoods and wraps - all made in England.
The colours of Age of Reason AW14 collection are amazing - blazing from phosphorescent blues to vibrant hues of pink and yellow, accentuated by Ali's confident strokes.

Photo by Lucia Carpio for MyFashionConnect.

When the conversation touched on design concepts, Ali said she draws inspiration from a wide range of subjects, from African Art to Japanese print and infrared technology.  There is also one of a punky Tudor queen and a few featuring surreal landscapes.  There are shawls also fringed with pom-poms or feathers for a luxurious touch.  

Ali showed me one particular head-scarf measuring 70x70 cm (as seen here) that has been selling extremely well in the new Galeries Lafayette department store just recently opened in Shanghai, China.  It sports the message - I will never Surrender - that gives it an edgy touch.  That's the quirky sense of humour that makes British designers so sought-after in China and around the world.