Contemporary designers utilising the comfort of tweed

Bell bottoms, high-waist denims, laced dresses, bright colors, tie-dye shirts, and more are all part of retro fashion, but these trends never truly faded away; instead, they became part of contemporary style. Even fabrics that were once considered outdated have been combined with other fibers to add a modern touch and improve performance. While textile industry trends are often short-lived, retro trends like tweed endure, drawing many designers back to the fashions of the past. It's no surprise that tweed has also evolved to fit modern trends and can now be seen in designer collections in fashion capitals like London, Paris, and New York. Tweed is no longer seen as a conservative fabric worn only by academics; it has transformed into a fabric that adds grace and style to any occasion.

Tweed's popularity has grown, especially because among various wool fabrics, it is considered the most stylish. According to the Campaign for Wool initiated by the Prince of Wales, up to eight new wool mills have opened in the United Kingdom in the past decade, employing around 6,000 workers. Tweed is no longer limited to clothing; it is now used in upholstery, hip flask and iPad covers, and even in footwear. The luxury interiors market is increasingly incorporating tweed to create unique and distinctive designs. While the traditional tweed maintains its classic colors such as pale greens, soft browns, blues, and purples, contemporary colors like bright orange and yellow are also available in various unique designs.

Traditional tweed involves several colors spun into yarn. The wool is dyed before spinning and mixed in various color combinations, typically ranging from two to eight colors. What may appear as a single color from a distance is actually an intricate blend of fibers that reflects its rich heritage.

In order to remain relevant in the ever-changing world of fashion, tweed makers have had to explore new markets beyond tradition. They have transformed the techniques and feel of the fabric, resulting in lighter-weight tweed with a modern aesthetic while still retaining its traditional essence.

The past three years, in particular, have seen tremendous growth for tweed. Tweed clothing is now available in high-end stores and graces couture collections on fashion runways. The demand for this fabric is on the rise, leading to the training of new weavers to meet production demands. Intensive efforts have been made to rejuvenate tweed and revitalize the industry by marketing the new, bolder, and more modern versions of tweed. Designers now have the freedom to exercise their creativity in crafting tweed garments, and the results have been phenomenal.