The Genuine Article

Harris Tweeds = My Fashion Valentine

At New York Fashion Week, John Patrick showed a collection of tailored, classic jackets, shorts and little dresses with a 60’s-ish aesthetic, all topped with messy beehives.

The leather in the collection is vegetable-tanned and the silk digitally printed (which apparently is a less toxic method), but for me the real standout fabric is the Harris Tweed!

According to the Harris Tweed Authority, this is “cloth that has been handwoven by the islanders of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra in their homes, using pure virgin wool that has been dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides.” Apparently, this is the definition that has been laid out in the 1993 Harris Tweed Act of Parliament (!!!). Oh, how I love to imagine a judge considering these lovely, woolen fabrics! If I had known that somewhere lawyers were hard at work protecting the Harris Tweed name from imposters, I might have made my mother happy and re-considered law school.

Moving on…visit the Harris Tweed page for more info, or better yet, some cozy-looking downloads.