Burberry launches next step of ‘Made In UK’ series with Johnstons of Elgin

Burberry is continuing to champion the luxury brand’s “craftsmanship and artisanal excellence” as part of its commitment to supporting British production.

So the brand has now turned its attention “to one of its most enduring house codes”, the Burberry Check cashmere scarf, in the latest instalment of the ‘Made in the UK’ content series.

It centres on the label’s long-time relationship with Johnstons of Elgin (Burberry’s founder, Thomas Burberry, began working with the manufacturer in 1900 to create the brand’s scarves).

The series highlights how the scarves are woven on traditional looms at Johnstons’ Scottish mill, with Burberry noting that it takes more than 30 steps to weave a single scarf, with the yarns placed in a precise sequence on the loom.

The fabric is washed in natural spring water that flows from the surrounding countryside, and is carefully brushed with teasels (dried flowers) to ‘raise’ the cloth, producing an ultra-soft finish.

The scarves are then brushed and steamed to create the characteristic texture and natural lustre. A dyeing process ensures the most vivid colours in the yarns, before the scarves are finished with fringing using a specialist machine that stretches and twists each thread together. 

Carly Eck, brand curator for Burberry, said: “British fashion has an enduring relationship with craft, with myriad and often idiosyncratic forms existing across the British Isles today. Burberry’s long partnership with Johnstons continues Thomas Burberry’s legacy and preserves these crafts, keeping alive centuries-old Scottish traditions.”

Chris Gaffney, chief executive of Johnstons of Elgin, added: “[We] have worked together for almost 125 years.  We share a set of values around craftsmanship, heritage and the importance of community that are the foundation of our long relationship. 

“Our teams work closely to ensure that the creativity of Burberry design is expressed in the products we make, with quality and responsibility always at the forefront. Together we support textile skills development in the UK, maintaining traditions that go back centuries whilst innovating and developing new fabrications and beautiful pieces. It’s a great partnership.”

To encourage longevity, Burberry has also launched ‘Scarf for Tomorrow’, an initiative “that helps ensure its signature scarves can be worn for as long as possible, through aftercare services”. This includes restoring the material’s soft finish through specialist brushing, steaming and misting, while ‘Scarf Upcycle’ allows customers to choose from a range of threads and stitching options to repair areas of damage that may have occurred.