| > | | | | tweed were achieved and trade was established with |
| Harris Tweed is the most famous Tweed in the | | | | cloth merchants in large towns in the UK. At about |
| world and it's still handmade The Harris Tweed Jacket | | | | the turn of the century the primitive small loom was |
| is recognised worldwide as an icon of British style. | | | | replaced by the improved "fly-shuttle" loom. This was |
| It’s a home grown classic with a proud | | | | made of wood and heavier than the earlier loom |
| heritage and a distinct provenance. Since its founding | | | | tending to make weaving an occupation for men |
| in England in the nineteenth century, Harris Tweed | | | | rather than women. Although originally imported from |
| has been synonymous with quality - as defined by | | | | the Galashiels a local joiner started making the new |
| the endurance, classicism and functionality that | | | | type of loom in 1903. At a meeting in Stornoway in |
| characterised its history Continuing, Harris Tweed | | | | 1906 efforts were considered for placing the industry |
| adorns the shoulders of English gentry countrywide. | | | | on a more satisfactory footing. This was a most |
| Sitting perfectly with English Madder Ties , Prince of | | | | harmonious meeting and as the Trade Marks Act had |
| Wales checks and flannel trousers, It complements a | | | | been passed in 1905 making provision for a |
| recognisable style that remains true to form and | | | | registration of Standardisation Marks, it seemed to be |
| function with a distinctive British sensibility. Like most | | | | novel opportunity to end the increasing practice of |
| quintessential home grown classics Harris Tweed | | | | offering mill-spun tweed as genuine Harris Tweed. |
| stand the test of time, even today designers include | | | | Harris Tweed means tweed which has been hand |
| it in their seasonal collections. It is emblematic of such | | | | woven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer |
| a proud heritage. Harris Tweed was born out of | | | | Hebrides, finished in the islands of Harris, Lewis, North |
| function rather than out of style, but given support | | | | Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Barra and their several |
| by the Aristocracy soon changed the way it was | | | | purtenances (The Outer Hebrides) and made from |
| viewed tweed became fashionable and demand for | | | | pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides. |
| Harris Tweed grew. From its humble bespoke | | | | The late 90s are a difficult time for the British textile |
| beginnings to the catwalks of the world. In 1846, | | | | industry and Harris Tweed is no exception. However |
| Lady Dunmore, widow of the late Earl of Dunmore, | | | | there is confidence that the hard decisions taken to |
| had the Murray tartan copied by Harris weavers in | | | | reform the industry will eventually bear fruit and |
| tweed. This proved so successful that Lady Dunmore | | | | secure the future of this unique product. In 2004 |
| devoted much time and thought to marketing the | | | | Nike bought ten thousand metres of Harris Tweed |
| tweed to her friends and then to improving the | | | | and produced a range of Harris Tweed trainers for |
| process of production. This was the beginning of the | | | | women. Nothing like this had been done and it gave |
| Harris Tweed industry. As a result of the marketing | | | | the island producers the boost they needed. May |
| efforts of Lady Dunmore, increased sales of the | | | | Harris Tweed survive, without it what else is there? |