10 Scottish manufacturers for fashion designers

From the Rana Plaza disaster to child labour in the cotton fields of Uzbekistan and ‘cry for help’ notes found in Primark socks, it’s crystal clear that the global garment industry is broken. From the conversations that we have with fashion designers and people launching their own clothing brands however, we hear that there’s a real desire to seek alternatives.

We know that this isn’t always the easy option, particularly when you’re starting out and the manufacturing offers seem to be flooding in from all over the world rather than your own doorstep. However, there is an ever-growing textile and fashion industry in Scotland, with a strong heritage to stand on. On Make Works you can find some fantastic seamstresses, tailors, material suppliers, knitwear and garment production factories all over Scotland.

You can find the full lists of companies listed on Make Works in textiles here and in fashion construction here but here are ten to get you started!

Kalopsia Collective

Kalopsia Collective are a new organisation working out of Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh’s Leith offering a micro manufacturing service to small businesses and fashion and textile designers. Kalopsia can help if you have a printed fabric or design idea and are looking to manufacture a high quality, finished product.

They offer prototyping, sampling, short runs, and pattern construction. It can be tricky to get straight into production with a large factory so Kalopsia Collective provide a really useful go-between, enabling designers and small business to experiment with new designs and get their products out in the real world before they commit to larger production runs.

Find out more about Kalopsia Collective here

MAKlab Textiles

Based out of Glasgow’s Maklab, Maklab Textiles are another really useful service when it comes to prototyping and sample runs. Run by textiles designer, Iona Barker, who is happy to take on commissions for individual items and prototypes, such as clothing, accessories, props and costumes. For those who are looking for more of hands-on role, as part of the MAKlab you can access all of the textiles equipment yourself by becoming a member. Iona also offers textiles mentorship, and regular drop in sessions and trainings.

Find out more about MAKlab Textiles here

Eribe knitwear

Eribe Knitwear are a knitwear manufacturer based in Galashiels. They’re best known for their own knitwear brand ERIBÉ, however they’re also one of the largest hand knitting companies in Europe producing collections for brands across the UK and beyond. Their talented team will work with you to turn sketches into CAD drawings, specification sheets and samples ready to be sent out to their network of hand knitters in the local communities.

Find out more about Eribe Knitwear here

Robert Noble

Robert Noble is a weaving mill producing apparel cloth from their March Street Mills in Peebles. Typically they produce men’s tweeds and jacketing materials but their in house design team are also able to work with bespoke material designs, working to specific colour ways, with a minimum order of just 150m. 

Find out more about Robert Noble here

Sadly Robert Noble has closed since this article was published. You can find more Scottish fabric suppliers here

Halley Stevensons

Image from Country House Outdoor 

Halley Stevensons are a Dundee-based manufacturer of waxed and oiled cottons, manufacturing bespoke waxed cotton for the likes of Ralph Lauren, Barbour and Glasgow’s own Trakke Adventure Carry. They’re able to work with bespoke colours and finishes as well as working with client-supplied printed cotton. If you’re just starting out with a design, Halley Stevensons offer a very accessible service, working with quantities as small as 4m runs. 

Find out more about Halley Stevensons here

Heriot Watt School of Textile and Design

Unlike the other companies listed here, Heriot Watt School of Textile and Design is strictly a facility so they won’t carry out any manufacturing on your behalf. However, they do have the largest educational knit, weave, and print workshops in Europe, with an amazing array of production facilities, along with technical support for professionals and industry. For those with an understanding of textiles production, Heriot Watt offers access to facilities that are unmatched across the rest of Scotland (and beyond). A great place to prototype, produce samples runs and experiment in exchange for a very reasonable membership fee.

Find out more about Heriot Watt School of Textile and Design

Alex Begg and Co

Alex Begg and Co have been weavers in Ayr for over 150 years. Nowadays they’re best known for their own fashion brand Begg and Co, however they also offer a ‘trade service’ producing pieces for other fashion brands with an impressive client roster including Mulberry, Ralph Lauren and Vivienne Westwood.Typically they produce scarves and throws using Dobby and Jacquard weaving. Alex Begg and Co are another great manufacturing option for those just starting out as they’re happy to work with sample runs of just 10 meters of fabric.

Find out more about Alex Begg and Co

BeFab Be Creative

BeFab Be Creative are a digital fabric printing bureau – they will print your designs onto lengths of fabric. They work with a wide range of fabrics and are able to work with everything from one-offs through to short runs. Based in Leith, Edinburgh, BeFab Be Creative is another great option for those looking to test out and prototype ideas, or to do short runs of fabric. 

You can find out more about digital fabric printing here in our Guide to Digital Fabric Printing

Find out more about BeFab Be Creative

Esk Valley Knitwear

Esk Valley Knitwear are a luxury knitwear manufacturer based in Dumfries and Galloway. Alongside their own very successful ESK brand, they also work with a number of high profile brands – such as Harvey Nichols and Monocle. Garments are manufactured and constructed in their small family-owned knitwear factory. 

Typically they work with jumpers, socks, sweaters, cardigans and hats, but they’re open to working with other garments and are happy to work through from sample runs up to large production runs.

Find out more about Esk Valley Knitwear here

Emily Millichip

Based out of her studio in St Margaret’s House, Edinburgh, Emily Millichip offers a bespoke garment production service. Typically she works with other fashion designers or boutiques looking to produce one-offs or sample runs. This is a really useful service if you’re looking to get a prototype or sample run produced but need help with the pattern making and production.

Find out more about Emily Millichip here

As we mentioned, the Scottish textiles industry and in particular the garment production industry is growing – fashion brands and designers are looking to move their production back to Scotland which means there’s a huge demand on these companies at the moment. As they do tend to be very busy, don’t expect them to get back to you immediately and when they do, try and use their time as best you can. Read more about how to communicate well with manufacturers. This increased interest also means that new manufacturers are popping up all the time, if you run a textiles manufacturing company that you think should be on this list then let us know!

If you found this interesting you might like to read Sourcing Sheet Materials in Scotland