Get to know our Founder & Creative Director with a question and answer...
Can you tell us a bit about what inspired you to start the brand?
I started Brora in 1993 because I was passionate about Scottish textiles, especially cashmere and tweeds. When my family became involved with Hunters of Brora, a 100 year old tweed mill in Scotland, I jumped at the opportunity of creating a retail arm. This, in turn, led to the establishment of Brora.
Can you tell us a bit about what inspired you to start the brand?
I started Brora in 1993 because I was passionate about Scottish textiles, especially cashmere and tweeds. When my family became involved with Hunters of Brora, a 100 year old tweed mill in Scotland, I jumped at the opportunity of creating a retail arm. This, in turn, led to the establishment of Brora.
How have you seen Brora evolve since 1993? What does this mean in relation to British Manufacturing?
The ethos of Brora is still the same almost 30 years on: to create beautiful, stylish fashion that is also timeless. I strongly believe in ‘made in Britain,' especially when that product is made so well on our own shores. All of Brora’s cashmere is manufactured in Scotland using skills passed down through generations of Scottish families.
How have you seen Brora evolve since 1993? What does this mean in relation to British Manufacturing?
I started Brora in 1993 because I was passionate about Scottish textiles, especially cashmere and tweeds. When my family became involved with Hunters of Brora, a 100-year-old tweed mill in Scotland, I jumped at the opportunity of creating a retail arm. This, in turn, led to the establishment of Brora.
We know family is important to you; do you consider Brora a family business?
Brora is such a personal business and has been such a passion of mine that, somehow, everyone has become involved. My late father was a wonderfully inspiring entrepreneur, and my mother has immaculate taste. So many of my family members have modelled or worked for Brora at some stage or another.
What inspires you?
I always find that inspiration can come from anywhere, and this is especially true at home. I've always loved colour, so I often lean towards strong and vibrant patterns, designs and artwork. I'm such a colour addict, so every room is painted a delicious, bold hue. It's very important to have space for self-expression.
Who do you look up to?
The late James Sugden OBE was an extraordinary man, a true inspiration to me, and his services to the textile industry were unrivalled. James ran the cashmere mill until 2013, when he joined the executive board at Brora. He believed in me, aged 25, when I suggested making colourful cashmere, and he quickly became my mentor, wise counsel, and my dear, dear friend.
When choosing your own wardrobe, have any Brora pieces from the last 29 years stood out to you?
Of course, I love all our designs, and our collaborations with other designers are so much fun. As I rate vivid colour and patterning so highly, the Sibling x Brora one, in particular, was a real joy. I still wear the Cashmere Neon Leopard Jumper to this day. Once upon a time, I said that when I designed a leopard knit, it would be time to hang up my boots; luckily, I changed my mind!
What is your vision for the brand going forward? Where do you see Brora in the next 25 years?
Customers have always been, and always will be, at the heart of what we do. I would love them to continue enjoying the brand and for more people to wear Brora. I never want the business to grow too big and impersonal. So, I hope we will remain privately owned, personally run, and continue to produce most of what we sell on these four shores for at least the next 25 years.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I've always been a keen traveller, so over the years, I have been lucky to be able to explore places such as Africa, India, and South America. Otherwise, time at home in the country with all of the family and our team of whippets is something I rate very highly.
Sustainability has always been at the heart of everything you do at Brora, but why is sustainability so important to you?
With five children (three daughters and two step-daughters) and a grandchild, the idea of leaving a planet-damaging-legacy was unthinkable. Since I started Brora in 1993, we’ve made small runs using quality natural, biodegradable materials like cashmere, linen, and wool. A big part of our agenda is to make as locally as possible, and we've become more conscious of our environmental impact in the last few years. We've been making changes accordingly and are proud to have achieved Carbon Neutrality in 2020, but there’s still work to do!. This is just the beginning…
We know family is important to you; do you consider Brora a family business?
Brora is such a personal business and has been such a passion of mine that, somehow, everyone has become involved. My late father was a wonderfully inspiring entrepreneur, and my mother has immaculate taste. So many of my family members have modelled or worked for Brora at some stage or another.
What inspires you?
I always find that inspiration can come from anywhere, and this is especially true at home. I've always loved colour, so I often lean towards strong and vibrant patterns, designs and artwork. I'm such a colour addict, so every room is painted a delicious, bold hue. It's very important to have space for self-expression.
Who do you look up to?
The late James Sugden OBE was an extraordinary man, a true inspiration to me, and his services to the textile industry were unrivalled. James ran the cashmere mill until 2013, when he joined the executive board at Brora. He believed in me, aged 25, when I suggested making colourful cashmere, and he quickly became my mentor, wise counsel, and my dear, dear friend.
When choosing your own wardrobe, have any Brora pieces from the last 29 years stood out to you?
Of course, I love all our designs, and our collaborations with other designers are so much fun. As I rate vivid colour and patterning so highly, the Sibling x Brora one, in particular, was a real joy. I still wear the Cashmere Neon Leopard Jumper to this day. Once upon a time, I said that when I designed a leopard knit, it would be time to hang up my boots; luckily, I changed my mind!
What is your vision for the brand going forward? Where do you see Brora in the next 25 years?
Customers have always been, and always will be, at the heart of what we do. I would love them to continue enjoying the brand and for more people to wear Brora. I never want the business to grow too big and impersonal. So, I hope we will remain privately owned, personally run, and continue to produce most of what we sell on these four shores for at least the next 25 years.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I've always been a keen traveller, so over the years, I have been lucky to be able to explore places such as Africa, India, and South America. Otherwise, time at home in the country with all of the family and our team of whippets is something I rate very highly.
Sustainability has always been at the heart of everything you do at Brora, but why is sustainability so important to you?
With five children (three daughters and two step-daughters) and a grandchild, the idea of leaving a planet-damaging-legacy was unthinkable. Since I started Brora in 1993, we’ve made small runs using quality natural, biodegradable materials like cashmere, linen, and wool. A big part of our agenda is to make as locally as possible, and we've become more conscious of our environmental impact in the last few years. We've been making changes accordingly and are proud to have achieved Carbon Neutrality in 2020, but there’s still work to do!. This is just the beginning…
Discover the story of your favourite cashmere and clothing brand from 1993, to present day.