A new campaign highlighting the sustainable and innovative solutions offered by the Scottish textiles industry will be launched at Première Vision – one of the world’s leading events for the textiles industry – in Paris from July 5-7, 2022.

The campaign, which will be unveiled by UKFT and Scottish Development International (SDI), Scotland’s international trade and investment agency, focuses on five key themes which represent the values upon which the Scottish textiles industry has built its global reputation: Sustainability, Durability, Creativity, Authenticity and Innovation.

From an eye-catching new stand – which will be part of the DIT pavilion – international buyers will be able to learn about Scotland’s unique craftsmanship, skill and heritage and creativity, via new digital marketing platforms, and find out how Scottish textile designers, manufacturers and innovators can help them meet their sustainable and ethical ambitions.

Two Scottish companies will also be present at Première Vision; Halley Stevensons – the world-leading waxed cotton innovator – and Harris Tweed Hebrides, the main producer of Harris Tweed fabric in the UK.

Jaki Love, Director of Sustainability and Innovation at UKFT, said: “The drive to be more responsible for our impact on both planet and people has culminated in the creation of domestic, European and global targets. Scotland has embraced this opportunity, and with active industry-led research & development, delivered innovative solutions for circular and sustainable fashion and textiles.”

Laura Suarez, Scotland manager for the Consumer Lifestyle sector at SDI, said: “Scottish textiles already have a global reputation for luxury and quality, built on a strong heritage and years of experience of servicing some of the world’s top fashion brands and boutique establishments. By launching this campaign at Première Vision, we’re aiming to help buyers understand how by sourcing from Scotland they can leverage our commitment to sustainability, engage customers in a product built on strong values and meet the needs of the modern consumer.”

Find out more at ukft.org/pvjuly22/scotland/ and follow @ukftorg on Instagram.

For media enquiries or to arrange an interview with us to discuss the future of textiles at Première Vision Paris, please contact tara.hounslea@ukft.org or visit stand 6B9.

Sustainability

From Johnstons of Elgin, which received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for sustainable development last year through to Lochcarron of Scotland, which reduced the production journey of its Scottish kilt fabric from 15,000 miles to just 400, the Scottish textile industry has a strong pedigree in sustainable development.

Durability

Scottish textile producers and designers are minimising use of virgin raw materials and extending textile lifecycles to meet new global sustainability standards. Discover the story of Halley Stevensons, based in Dundee, which has been a leader in the manufacture of waxed cotton for over 150 years and specialises in durability, sustainable sourcing and low impact manufacturing

Creativity

A creative outlook is key to minimising material and process waste in the textile industry. Dynamic Scottish companies are reimagining products including Tessuti Scotland, which utilises zero waste design principles to produce scarves using off-cuts of silk from other scarves, and Isaebel Hendry, who takes inspiration from traditional craft skills and techniques found locally including basket making, roof thatching and carpentry techniques to create stunning leather accessories with a modern aesthetic.

Authenticity

Scottish textiles are uniquely linked to the rugged landscapes that inspire their production, harnessing skills that have been built up over generations. Manufacturers including Harris Tweed Hebrides, Alex Begg, ERIBÉ and Lochcarron continue to find new ways to excite luxury brands and designers with prestigious fabrics, niche production and specialist techniques.

Innovation

While the Scottish textile industry has a long heritage to be proud of, this is not a sector that stands still. Look to ACS Clothing, based in Glasgow, which is transforming the fashion industry from the traditional linear take-make-dispose model, towards a circular fashion model, and extending the life of existing textiles to divert clothing from landfill. So too, are Johnstons of Elgin, which is working with Highlands weaver Prickly Thistle to explore a new process make thick, coarse Scottish sheep fleece more suitable for use in clothing and other textile products.

About Scottish Development International

Scotland’s international trade and investment agency, Scottish Development International has offices in more than 30 locations in the world. SDI supports the international growth of companies in Scotland and promotes Scottish products and services to international markets.  For more information, please visit: www.sdi.co.uk

Think Sustainability. Think Scotland for fashion and textiles