Issue 03 Wool (digital only)

"WHEN I ASKED OUR CONTRIBUTORS what comfort meant to them I knew we would receive impassioned responses and poignant comments: but I was struck by how important comfort is to all of us, and how our clothing and furnishings bring a sense of warmth and peace to our lives. Whether you find comfort in relaxing in an overstuffed armchair or snuggling under an antique quilt, it is a valued and necessary part of our lives. For me it has to be a cashmere blanket; on a desert island it would be my luxury to keep the sea breeze from my shoulders during cool evenings. 

In this issue we look to wool, perhaps the most comforting of all fibres, and a staple of the British textile industry. Its role in Scottish social and political history has been vital and Hamish Carruthers discusses the renaissance of textiles in the borders. Harris tweed and Bute fabrics may conjure up images of Barbara Woodhouse and One man and his Dog – but recently they have been seen in altogether more modern contexts. Big Brother’s diary room chair was upholstered in a Bute fabric and Nike is set to use tweed as a trimming for this season’s trainers.

Continuing on the Celtic note we visit Athene English in Hay-on-Wye who shares her passion for Welsh blankets and Fritz von der Schulenburg invites us to shelter from the snow in his traditional Welsh long-house, where his globetrotting career has enabled him to amass an eclectic range of textiles to adorn his welcoming interior.

Decoration abounds on the runway during fashion week. In the midst of the current frenzy for print and pattern we home in on the attention to detail seen in Antonio Marras’s first collection for Kenzo which features exquisite adornment in the form of buttons, ribbons and pompoms.

As the party season begins our photo story reveals the elegant charm of vintage fashion in tinsel and tatters. I hope you have a wonderful festive season!"

Polly Leonard, Founder, Selvedge Magazine

Please note this issue is only available as a digital edition.