British Heritage
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Pringle of Scotland
A Testament to British Heritage and High Fashion.
Pringle of Scotland stands as a beacon of British heritage, knitting together the threads of time with a tradition steeped in craftsmanship and fashion. From its early establishment in 1815, the brand's evolution has been inextricably linked with the progress of British fashion, permeating various aspects of culture, including film, sport, and high fashion. Its legacy, still being woven today, reflects the enduring strength of the British fashion industry and its global influence.
The journey of Pringle of Scotland began in the idyllic Scottish Borders, where Robert Pringle laid its foundation in 1815. The brand's initial foray into the world of fashion was through the production of hosiery and underwear. However, its focus shifted to cashmere production around 1870, marking the beginning of its specialization in luxury knitwear, a signature it's known for today.
One of the world's oldest continually operating fashion companies, Pringle of Scotland, is deeply embedded in the history of British fashion. It brought the world the twinset and the Argyle pattern, adaptations of ancient Scottish designs under the creative direction of Otto Weisz, who joined the firm in 1934 as the first full-time designer in the knitwear industry.
Celebrities such as Jean Simmons, Brigitte Bardot, and Grace Kelly embraced these designs, further propelling the company's status within the fashion world. As a testament to the company's quality and craftsmanship, Pringle of Scotland has been granted the royal warrant as manufacturers of knitted garments.
1967 marked a turning point for the brand when it was acquired by Joseph Dawson (Holdings) Limited, later renamed Dawson International Plc. During the 1980s and 1990s, the brand expanded its footprint into leisure and sportswear, becoming a prominent sponsor for British golf stars like Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie. In the same era, Pringle also became a popular name in football culture, proving its versatility and widespread appeal.
The turn of the millennium saw the brand change hands to Hong Kong-based S.C. Fang & Sons Company, Ltd., which breathed new life into the ailing company that was losing around £4.5m per year. Pringle of Scotland's headquarters remained in Hawick, Scotland, with its Design Studio based in London, reinforcing its commitment to its roots while looking forward to a global future.
Under the leadership of chief executive Kim Winser, formerly of Marks & Spencer, and Stuart Stockdale, Pringle embarked on a mission to recapture its former high-fashion status. It returned to the London Fashion Week with fresh designs based on its iconic twinset and Argyle pattern, marking a new era for the brand.
The company changed hands within the Fang family in 2005, with Kenneth Fang passing control to his children, Jean and Douglas Fang. Despite the substantial investments required to steer the company's expansion, sales improved significantly.
In 2007, with Clare Waight Keller at the creative helm, the brand launched a luxury accessories range. Several years later, in 2011, Alistair Carr, an ex-Balenciaga designer, stepped in as Design Director following Keller's departure.
The following years saw Fran Stringer and Giuseppe Marretta join as Womenswear and Menswear Design Directors respectively, keeping the brand's vision alive and vibrant. Pringle's Autumn Winter 2016-17 campaign was captured by renowned photographer Harley Weir and art directed by Christopher Simmonds in Scotland, showcasing the brand's strong connection to its Scottish roots.
In recent years, Pringle of Scotland has showcased its versatile appeal through collaborations with worldwide brands like H&M and skater brand Palace. These partnerships, dubbed Pringle of Scotland X H&M and Pringle of Scotland X Palace, have allowed the brand to explore new design territories while retaining its classic aesthetic.
In 2020, Pringle of Scotland celebrated a milestone that few brands have achieved – its 205th anniversary. Today, it continues to contribute to the fabric of British heritage with flagship stores in London's Mount Street, Edinburgh's George Street, as well as in Shanghai and Beijing, and retailers in 20 countries worldwide.
Pringle of Scotland's story, from its humble beginnings in 1815 to its current position as a respected global fashion house, is a testament to its enduring quality, commitment to craftsmanship, and ability to adapt to changing fashion landscapes. It has weathered the shifts of time and trends, always managing to emerge with a fresh and relevant offering while retaining its strong connection to British heritage and Scottish roots.
As the company moves into the future, the legacy of Pringle of Scotland will continue to inspire and shape the British fashion industry, leaving an indelible mark on the world of high fashion and beyond. Indeed, Pringle of Scotland is more than just a fashion brand; it's an integral part of British history and a proud flagbearer of its heritage.
History and Legacy
The journey of Pringle of Scotland began in the idyllic Scottish Borders, where Robert Pringle laid its foundation in 1815. The brand's initial foray into the world of fashion was through the production of hosiery and underwear. However, its focus shifted to cashmere production around 1870, marking the beginning of its specialization in luxury knitwear, a signature it's known for today.
One of the world's oldest continually operating fashion companies, Pringle of Scotland, is deeply embedded in the history of British fashion. It brought the world the twinset and the Argyle pattern, adaptations of ancient Scottish designs under the creative direction of Otto Weisz, who joined the firm in 1934 as the first full-time designer in the knitwear industry.
Celebrities such as Jean Simmons, Brigitte Bardot, and Grace Kelly embraced these designs, further propelling the company's status within the fashion world. As a testament to the company's quality and craftsmanship, Pringle of Scotland has been granted the royal warrant as manufacturers of knitted garments.
Mergers, Acquisitions and Expansions
1967 marked a turning point for the brand when it was acquired by Joseph Dawson (Holdings) Limited, later renamed Dawson International Plc. During the 1980s and 1990s, the brand expanded its footprint into leisure and sportswear, becoming a prominent sponsor for British golf stars like Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie. In the same era, Pringle also became a popular name in football culture, proving its versatility and widespread appeal.
The turn of the millennium saw the brand change hands to Hong Kong-based S.C. Fang & Sons Company, Ltd., which breathed new life into the ailing company that was losing around £4.5m per year. Pringle of Scotland's headquarters remained in Hawick, Scotland, with its Design Studio based in London, reinforcing its commitment to its roots while looking forward to a global future.
Revival and Reinvention
Under the leadership of chief executive Kim Winser, formerly of Marks & Spencer, and Stuart Stockdale, Pringle embarked on a mission to recapture its former high-fashion status. It returned to the London Fashion Week with fresh designs based on its iconic twinset and Argyle pattern, marking a new era for the brand.
The company changed hands within the Fang family in 2005, with Kenneth Fang passing control to his children, Jean and Douglas Fang. Despite the substantial investments required to steer the company's expansion, sales improved significantly.
In 2007, with Clare Waight Keller at the creative helm, the brand launched a luxury accessories range. Several years later, in 2011, Alistair Carr, an ex-Balenciaga designer, stepped in as Design Director following Keller's departure.
The following years saw Fran Stringer and Giuseppe Marretta join as Womenswear and Menswear Design Directors respectively, keeping the brand's vision alive and vibrant. Pringle's Autumn Winter 2016-17 campaign was captured by renowned photographer Harley Weir and art directed by Christopher Simmonds in Scotland, showcasing the brand's strong connection to its Scottish roots.
Contemporary Collaborations and Milestones
In recent years, Pringle of Scotland has showcased its versatile appeal through collaborations with worldwide brands like H&M and skater brand Palace. These partnerships, dubbed Pringle of Scotland X H&M and Pringle of Scotland X Palace, have allowed the brand to explore new design territories while retaining its classic aesthetic.
In 2020, Pringle of Scotland celebrated a milestone that few brands have achieved – its 205th anniversary. Today, it continues to contribute to the fabric of British heritage with flagship stores in London's Mount Street, Edinburgh's George Street, as well as in Shanghai and Beijing, and retailers in 20 countries worldwide.
Conclusion
Pringle of Scotland's story, from its humble beginnings in 1815 to its current position as a respected global fashion house, is a testament to its enduring quality, commitment to craftsmanship, and ability to adapt to changing fashion landscapes. It has weathered the shifts of time and trends, always managing to emerge with a fresh and relevant offering while retaining its strong connection to British heritage and Scottish roots.
As the company moves into the future, the legacy of Pringle of Scotland will continue to inspire and shape the British fashion industry, leaving an indelible mark on the world of high fashion and beyond. Indeed, Pringle of Scotland is more than just a fashion brand; it's an integral part of British history and a proud flagbearer of its heritage.
- Pringle of Scotlanden.wikipedia.org
