A Carlisle fabric company has received a major boost after one of the world’s most fashionable celebrities placed an order for its material.
Victoria Beckham, the Spice Girl turned fashion icon, has purchased 10 metres of fabric from Shaddongate mill Linton Tweeds.
Representatives for the star, who launched her first collection during September’s New York fashion week, requested four fabric samples from the Cumbrian firm at a recent trade show.
And yesterday it was confirmed that Mrs Beckham had been impressed with what she saw. A spokesperson for Mrs Beckham told the News & Star: “The fabric has been bought and there’s a possibility that it could be used in a forthcoming collection.”
Keith Walker, managing director of Linton Tweeds, said: “She’s chosen a fantastic one (fabric). It’s black with rubber yarn in it.
“People normally ask for ten metres so they can make a piece. Likely after that there will be a fashion show and then, and only then, when they know how popular it is, will they decide whether to make a production run on it.”
The company is no stranger to the catwalk having been producing fabrics – all of which are designed and woven at the Carlisle site – for women’s fashion collections since 1912.
And Mrs Beckham is in good company. Linton Tweeds are renown for being the original Chanel fabric makers.
The debut collection from ‘Posh Spice’ was just that, a classic range of 10 dresses retailing between £650 and £1900.
Despite initial scepticism over a high-fashion range from a former pop star, the collection received almost universal acclaim.
And Mrs Beckham won particular applause for her choice of fabrics and attention to detail.
There’s no word on what the Linton Tweeds black fabric will be used for, though Mr Walker said it may be most appropriate for making a jacket.
For Linton Tweeds the international recognition they would receive should Mrs Beckham showcase their fabric would be a far cry from their humble beginnings.
The mill was started by Scotsman William Linton in the Caldewgate area of the city in 1912, and initially had just two salesmen who travelled around the Lake District with a pony and trap buying wool and selling woollen suit lengths.
The long-term association with fashion house Chanel began in 1920 when Mr Linton was introduced to Coco Chanel, the woman credited with introducing tweed to the world of high-fashion, by his friend Captain Molyneux, a Parisian couturier.
In the 1930s-1950s they achieved great success in America, and though the 1960s posed difficult times, the firm battled through and later reignited its success across the pond as well as in Japan and Canada.
The tweed was a favourite of designer Jean Muir, whose pieces have been worn by the likes of Judi Dench, Diana Rigg and Julie Walters.
For more information about the company, including details on how to request samples, go to the firm’s website at www.lintondirect.com.
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