Back to the Source – Wool
I don’t know about anyone else, but when I pull my flannel trousers on in the morning or drape my shoulders in a worsted jacket, the first thing that comes to my mind typically isn’t a herd of sheep. While many of us may think about where the coat was made or the creative process that went into designing the trousers, the origin of the material itself is all too often left out of the equation. And to be fair, a pair of trousers brilliantly cut from a mediocre cloth will still, most likely, be mediocre.
That brings me to The Campaign for Wool, a group of folks concerned with much more than the pinstripes of a suit. They, patronized by The Prince of Wales himself, support awareness of the wool that we all use to make our lives a little softer and cozier, from garments to interiors and beyond. This year will see the first ever UK Wool Week, a week of festivities to celebrate the farmers, weavers, manufacturers, designers, retailers, tailors, etc. who wrap our lives in their cloth.
Most excitingly though, at least as far as I’m concerned is the event being thrown by Savile Row Bespoke, the Savile Row Field Day. To start wool week off right, October 11 will see Savile Row turned into greener pastures – literally. The Savile Row Bespoke Association is blocking off Savile Row, laying down grass, and parading a flock of sheep around for the day. Visitors will be able to come out, see the flocks (yes, one flock of sheep wasn’t enough), and learn about how the adorable little temporary denizens of the Row give up their coats so we can have ours. The farmers will be dressed by Anderson & Sheppard and Gieves & Hawkes, and many of the tailors will be having open house events as well. Should be quite the spectacle, and although I won’t be able to make it to London for the event, I trust someone will send me spectacular pictures.
More than just a fun way to bring a bit of whimsy to the Row or even to promote wool, this should remind us that our garments and accessories have a provenance that extends far beyond the design studio or cutting room. Good sheep produce good wool, which makes for good cloth, and eventually a good coat or trousers, and cotton, linen, leather, horn, shell, and other natural materials are the same way. Just like fine cooking requires fine ingredients, making fine garments requires fine materials – quality begets quality, it just makes sense.
