A Glasgow fashion designer has teamed up with his 92-year-old grandfather to create a sustainable outerwear line.
Ross Geddes, founder of Finnieston Clothing, has worked with grandpa John Barr’s farm in Eaglesham to source the wool which will be used as insulation for the new vests and jackets in his collection.
Mr Geddes explained how much the collection means to him, and his family.
He said: “This project has been three years in the making, since my grandmother’s passing in 2021. My grandfather felt a huge loss then, and he still does, but he continues to find purpose through farm life and staying connected with family. This line is more than just a collection of jackets: it's a tribute to my family’s legacy.
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“He is an inspiration. Despite his age, he gets up every day and works because he loves what he does, and he believes in it. While we work in different industries, we have a shared purpose in what we do and a vision in what we want to achieve. We want to reawaken people to the amazing materials we have on our doorstep, working with local mills and factories to bring our vision to life. I’m so proud to be able to make this dream of working on a project with my grandpa a reality.”
Finnieston Clothing said: “At 92 years old, John Barr is still very much involved in the day to day operations at Bonnyton Moor Farm.”
The company noted its 10-minute documentary to launch the new outerwear shows Mr Barr “tending to the fields and meeting his grandson to talk about why wool should be back in fashion”.
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Finnieston Clothing said: “His wool is the perfect addition to materials from some of the best UK suppliers."
Noting that outer material for each piece comes from Halley Stevenson, a Dundee-based clothing and fabric manufacturer, with the lining produced by Chapman Fabrics in Yorkshire, it added: "What’s more, there’s UK-made corozo buttons, labels from East Kilbride, and insulation from HD Wool. All components are then sent to Great Yarmouth for assembly, ensuring the entire process stays within the UK.”
John Barr, who left school 80 years ago at just 13 years old to work on the family farm, reflected on the changes in the wool industry during the documentary.
He said: “Farming has been my whole life, but it's clear that things have changed. The costs are rising, yet the returns just don’t add up like they did. The clippings from the sheep’s backside used to be worth more than the whole fleece now.
“Wool used to cover the rent and the shepherd, but today it wouldn’t even buy you fish and chips.”
However, he added: “Through HD Wool and The Woolkeepers community, and people like my grandson, Ross, flying the flag for British wool, it’s becoming more fairly priced, helping to sustain an industry."
Finnieston Clothing’s products, which the company notes are “inspired by Glasgow’s rich industrial heritage”, are all made in either the UK or Portugal, with a focus on sustainable materials and local producers.
Mr Geddes, who founded the fashion brand in 2020, sells its workwear-inspired garments from its branches on Byres Road in Glasgow’s West End and Shawlands on the south side of the city, as well as through its online store.
He added: “In contrast to much of the fashion industry, where synthetic materials like polyester are prevalent, these jackets tell a different story, one rooted in natural fibres and sustainability.
“Polyester may be convenient and affordable, but its environmental cost is significant. It takes between 20 and 200 years to biodegrade. Wool is a sustainable alternative for so many types of clothing - maybe not gym wear but the industry should still look towards it.”
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