Lynne Coleman is a fashion writer and journalist from Glasgow, with a background working in the British textiles industry.
She has 20 years’ experience with cashmere, and had her own clothing line in the famously opulent material which was sold across the UK.
Having moved to the island during lockdown, she said she just wanted a cashmere Guernsey for herself, and shared the idea to create one with her textile mentor, Arthur Eldridge, who owns Guernsey Woollens.
He offered the local factory as a base to develop the idea and produce an indulgent take on the traditional winter warmer.
‘I couldn’t have done it without these guys,’ she said.
‘Arthur is a godsend, my kindred spirit and just the most wonderful man in the world.
‘I had 12kg of cashmere and it’s taken us about nine months to perfect the weight and the count.
‘It’s a proper Guernsey and each one is typically a kilogram in weight of cashmere.
‘I get the yarn made in Scotland at Todd and Duncan, which is over 120 years old, and then it all comes down here to Arthur, where we set about making the physical Guernsey.’
Nearly 50 cashmere Guernseys have been made so far, in three nautical-themed colours – navy, cream and orange.
‘I’ve been doing this for 65 years,’ said Mr Eldridge.
‘It’s amazing that there’s always something new.’
At more than £2,000 a pop-over, the quality can be felt – both on the skin and the wallet.
‘Let’s not beat around the bush, it’s an expensive thing,’ said Mrs Coleman.
‘Arthur refers to cashmere as liquid gold. His skills and knowledge are incredible, he’s the best artisan, I think, in the whole of the UK.
‘I’ve learned so much from him and this factory is my happy place. I work with mills at home that provide for places like Gucci, Prada and Chanel – I’m telling you, this Guernsey is walking couture.
‘It’s amazing.’
The guernseys are available at lynnecoleman.com.
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