Welcome to the Islander Workshop

The lid of your bag is made from Harris Tweed®. But what exactly is Harris Tweed?

The islands of Harris and Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, have been producing this beautiful tweed since the mid-1800s. Originally, it was created as a practical fabric worn by fishermen and people working on the land.

Life on these islands can be cold, wet and windy, so the woollen cloth provided excellent warmth and protection.

Over time, Harris Tweed® evolved from a practical fabric into a luxury textile. Today it is recognised worldwide for its quality, heritage and distinctive colours and patterns.

Harris Tweed® gained international attention in the 1920s when Coco Chanel was inspired by tweed worn by the Duke of Westminster during hunting trips. This influence helped inspire her famous tweed suit collections.

In the late 1980s, Vivienne Westwood used Harris Tweed® in her post-punk fashion collections, helping revive its popularity with a new generation. Today, Harris Tweed® continues to appear in collaborations with major fashion brands including Dior, Chanel and Nike.

Harris Tweed® is the only fabric in the world protected by an Act of Parliament - the Harris Tweed Act 1993.

To be officially called Harris Tweed®, the fabric must follow strict rules:

• The tweed must be handwoven on a loom by an islander in their home in the Outer Hebrides.
• The entire production process - dyeing, spinning and finishing - must take place in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
• The fabric must be made from 100% pure new wool.
• Every roll of cloth is inspected by the Harris Tweed Authority, the guardian of the famous Orb Mark.

Only once the fabric passes inspection is the Orb stamp applied. This mark guarantees the cloth is genuine Harris Tweed®.

Your Harris Tweed lid is naturally water-resistant, thanks to the properties of wool.

To care for your bag:

• Do not use soap or detergent.
• Clean small marks using a damp cloth.
• A lint roller is ideal for removing dust or pet hair.
• For deeper cleaning, take the bag to a professional dry cleaner.
• For additional protection, you may apply a waterproof suede or fabric spray.