A pioneering new Scottish sustainable luxury fashion range, launched in the UK’s largest UNESCO Biosphere, has been given a starring role on the BBC’s The One Show, where popular presenter Clara Amfo described the products as “truly gorgeous craftmanship”. The ethical brand also features in the latest global tourism drive to bring visitors to Scotland.
Thanks to incredible community support for its ambition to drive sustainable fashion and farming, the story of Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear (a social enterprise, which was developed by the team from the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere) featured on a dedicated BBC One Show film on Friday (31 January).
The ethical knitwear company is believed to be the first global fashion brand to use the abundant and versatile Scottish Blackface wool for high-end clothing, and the only luxury knitwear company run as a social enterprise directing all profits into grassroots climate and sustainable development initiatives within the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. It is hoped its work will help to drive sustainable farming, protect local rural heritage skills, and address the global climate crisis. The brand launched its first ever high-end, entirely British-made, sustainable outerwear knitwear range late last year, following a successful Crowdfunding drive.
The One Show’s documentary style feature segment, which is still available to view on iPlayer (from 15:36), tells the story of the history and heritage of Scottish Blackface wool, and the significance of the innovative new social enterprise. Presenter Roman Kemp introduced the film as something “Dragon business owner Sara [Davies] here is going to absolutely love. It’s about a team of knitters who have been hard working to bring a sustainable material back into fashion…”
After the film, fellow presenter Clara Amfo commented on the brand’s “truly gorgeous craftmanship”.
Sara Davies (who was on the show to talk about her new TV series The Big Ideas Work, which airs today 3 February on BBC 1) added: “It’s lovely to see the old form of wool come back in…I think nowadays, more than ever, people appreciate the quality. They don’t mind paying more for real wool as opposed to synthetic wool, because they know it’s going to last a lifetime, it’s better for the environment, it’s circular economy…I’m in.”
Interviewees in the feature included project lead at the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership Marie McNulty, designer Jo Storie, Scottish Blackface sheep farmers Richard and Rachel Colley in Thornhill, knitters at A’ The Airts Community Centre in Sanquhar, and visitors at the Stewartry Agricultural Show.
Global tourism icon for Scotland
The brand’s starring TV role comes soon after wool produced by Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear was used by knitters at the A’ The Airts to fashion a unique “coo-ture” woollen knitwear garment for the Highland cow fronting VisitScotland’s global winter drive to boost sustainable tourism.
Speaking after their launch of the Coos in Cardies campaign, Gordon Smith, Destination Development Director at VisitScotland, said: “When creating the cosy outfit for our super moo-del we wanted something that was distinctly Scottish. We were so pleased to be able to use wool sourced from Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere’s Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear.
“Not only did it give another link to the region, with A’ The Airts designing and creating the garments, but their commitment to the local environment, community, and preserving local heritage, aligns with our own sustainable tourism ambitions.
“We’re excited to see the attention that Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear and the Biosphere are receiving which will help shine a spotlight on the region.”
Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear – a force for good
Co-designed by one of the UK’s leading knitwear designers, Jo Storie, the first ever Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear garments, which all hold British Wool’s prestigious traceability mark, are now on sale via MerrickScotland.com.
Promoting slow fashion to reduce carbon emissions and increasing the value of a previously underused wool, the groundbreaking brand highlights the potential of the UNESCO Biosphere’s rich rural farming heritage as part of a sustainable fashion economy. The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership, the charitable organisation working across the UNESCO region, has led development of the social enterprise and the Merrick knitwear brand since its inception. The Biosphere team have ensured all elements of each product are designed and produced in the UK; all wool is sourced from local farmers, and all profits ploughed back into the UNESCO Biosphere to support community, heritage, education and conservation projects throughout this globally significant area of natural and cultural heritage value.
Ed Forrest, Director of the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, said: “Merrick knitwear originated as a conversation between Biosphere officers, Trustees, and the farmers we support through our programme of land use and biodiversity initiatives. We are delighted that, in a relatively short time, a project exploring new approaches to sustainability in traditional industries has grown into a social enterprise that is attracting interest across the UK and overseas.
“Innovation like this is needed now more than ever; the fashion industry releases around 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon emissions every year, with textile production contributing more to climate change than international aviation and shipping combined. UNESCO Biospheres all around the world are in the vanguard of action on these very urgent issues through local initiatives like Merrick, which encompasses a collaborative ethos and a celebration of rural heritage. As well as selling beautiful clothes that last a lifetime our vision is to increase the profitability of Blackface wool, so that local producers see better returns and ultimately inspire wider engagement with farming and fashion as part of southern Scotland’s sustainable economy. We look forward to continuing this important work and evolving the Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear brand through 2025 and beyond.”
Designer Jo Storie, who has worked in knitwear for 30 years, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to see that the world is beginning to take notice of how significant Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear is. It a great privilege to have been involved in the realisation of such a groundbreaking project, which highlights how fashion can become a force for good – supporting the growth of the circular economy and helping to address the global climate crisis.
“Looking at the Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear clothing range it is almost unbelievable to think that the potential of Scottish Blackface yarn has not been recognised until now. We are proud to have a collection able to compete with the best known luxury knitwear brands. Through extensive testing and product development we have proved that Scottish Blackface wool is renewable, strong and durable, so stitches and structures are clean and well defined, which has opened a lot of design possibilities. The wool is also thermoregulating, insulating and naturally biodegradable, so it’s an obvious choice for sustainable clothing and outerwear.”
Richard Colley, a local farmer (who appeared on the One Show feature) and Council Member of the Scottish Blackface Sheep Breeders’ Association, said: “Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear, which is producing high end garments entirely and exclusively from the very best of locally sourced Blackface wool, offers a fantastic opportunity for eco-conscious and stylish consumers.
“Scottish Blackface wool is an extremely sustainable, natural and biodegradable product with outstanding environmental credentials, produced in the most natural environment in the world.”
To view or buy from the latest Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear range visit: www.merrickscotland.com. For more information about the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, visit: gsabiosphere.org.uk
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