A Glasgow clothing retailer has joined forces with the famous Harris Tweed Hebrides textiles brand to create the first two of what is expected to be a range of new garments.
Ross Geddes, founder of menswear specialist Finnieston Clothing, declared it was an “honour” to display the Harris Tweed trademark on what will initially be two jackets sold by the firm. More garments are expected to follow.
The partnership builds on Mr Geddes’ appreciation of the “heritage, durability, and sustainability” of Harris Tweed, which Finnieston said makes for “sustainable, hard-wearing workwear”. The fabric is legally required to be made from start to finish in the Outer Hebrides from local pure virgin wool that is dyed and spun, then woven by islanders at their homes before being finished and stamped at the Shawbost Mill.
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Mr Geddes said: “I’ve always been aware of Harris Tweed, and it’s an extremely well-known fabric. It’s a fabric mill that I’ve always really admired because of the heritage and the history of the company, and the versatility of wool.
“It’s an honour to be able to put a Harris Tweed trademark on the inside of a Finnieston Clothing jacket. To be able to collaborate with them has been really special and they’ve been such a great company to work with.”
Mr Geddes is a champion of British wool, and recently began to source wool from his 92-year-old grandfather’s farm in Eaglesham for insulation for the new vests and jackets in his collection.
He said: “I thought a really great accompaniment to that ambition would be a jacket made of Harris Tweed - a fabric that is all 100% British wool as well and made in the UK. Harris Tweed Hebrides brand ambassador Mark Hogarth and I had spoken over the years about doing some work together, and this just seemed like the right time to do it.”
Mr Hogarth noted that Harris Tweed has been going for nearly 200 years, and declared that when you buy a garment made from the fabric, “it's not just part of fashion, it's something that you're buying that's going to have inherent quality and durability, something which is going to be stylish for years and years”.
Mr Geddes added: “The jackets are timeless - hard-wearing but sophisticated. They will age beautifully, and they’re the kind of thing that you just have in your wardrobe for the rest of your life. It doesn’t matter if you’re aged 26 or 76, it’s going to look great on you.”
Hogarth noted that the most important part of Harris Tweed is the people involved in its “complicated but beautiful” production process, supporting 160 weavers and many more jobs in the wider industry.
Finnieston Clothing, which in addition to its online presence has two shops, in Glasgow’s Hillhead and Shawlands areas, aims to use its profits to help the community, with a focus on promoting and aiding mental, physical, and environmental health.
The firm said it is inspired by Glasgow’s industrial heritage, and recently launched a shipyard-themed T-shirt which will see 5% of proceeds going to Clydebank Asbestos Group, a charity dedicated to helping victims of asbestos exposure.
The inner material for its new Harris Tweed jackets comes from a Norfolk-based company called Chapman Fabrics, while the buttons - made from a Brazilian nut - are also from a firm in the UK called Courtney and Co. The labels are made by DR Labelling in East Kilbride, and the jackets are put together in the UK by a company called Yarmouth Oilskins. The garments retail at £375 each.
Mr Geddes said: “Another reason why I love Harris Tweed is that the wool is naturally renewable, biodegradable and recyclable. It’s also breathable and, due to the nature of the lanolin in wool, it becomes a water-repellent fabric. And the fewer synthetic materials that are on you, the better, so it’s great that it’s made from all-natural fabrics.”
Looking ahead, Geddes is planning another Harris Tweed jacket, in a longer peacoat style, for next winter, building on the response to the first products. “They’re some of my favourite pieces I’ve ever done, and I’ll be taking one for myself,” he said.
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