British wool has a rich story, combining heritage, innovation, craft and sustainability yet it remains underused in fashion and textiles. The Great British Wool Revival is looking for more brands, businesses and farmers who work with or are interested in British wool to join the map.

Launched by Fashion Roundtable and The King’s Foundation, the project has connected farmers, designers, and businesses to make British wool more accessible across the supply chain.

In 2026, The King’s Foundation will host the first Great British Wool Revival conference at Dumfries House in Scotland to bring together industry leaders, innovators and creatives to share insights, best practice and network around British heritage, craft, textiles and regeneration.

UKFT member John Smedley has committed to the project to ensure the tools created continue to support the wider industry, extending across educational, marketing, community and industry projects. Highlights include John Smedley’s Sustainable School Uniform Project with Derby Museums, which educates students on the benefits of British wool and enables them to design the school jumper of the future. The winter campaign will showcase British wool in machine-knitted products, hand-knitted yarn, and one-off pieces, sharing the stories of farmers, spinners and knitters. John Smedley will also make its yarns and knitting patterns available to consumers for the first time, allowing them to craft their own sustainable sweaters and engage directly with this historic fibre.

The Great British Wool Revival builds on the extensive work undertaken by British Wool, a long-standing member of UKFT. Over the past few years, British Wool has actively promoted the fibre to the fashion sector through European shows and new sourcing guides, which bring together certified British wool cloths and yarns in a single collection. This has helped dispel the perception that British wool is only suitable for carpets and too coarse for apparel, opening doors for brands to explore its versatility.

High-profile designers including Marc Jacobs, Vivienne Westwood, Zegna and Dior have showcased British wool on the catwalk in recent seasons, influencing wider fashion trends and increasing demand for the fibre. The sourcing guides have also created opportunities to educate brands on UK farming standards and the quality of British wool, ensuring the fibre’s story of sustainability, heritage and innovation reaches new markets.

If you are interested in getting involved in the map, the conference or the wider initiative, please contact harriet.fletcher-gilhuys@fashionroundtable.co.uk.