Having just returned from Wales this past fall, I wanted to share with you insights regarding the few remaining generation-old mills that continue to run today, so you can either visit or source exquisitely crafted woollen fabrics—specifically, their distinctive double-cloth weave, a hallmark of Welsh craftsmanship. These textiles are not just products, but cultural objects, and are deeply tied to Welsh identity.
Before I share the brand names, I want to tell you a little about what I learned and saw during my travels throughout Wales—and, thanks to a few experts I met along the way, give you some background on the history of Welsh textiles and how we got to where we are today.
Wales was once a thriving textile industry, but over the past fifty years, it has become vulnerable and fragmented. While there’s renewed interest from designers and buyers around the world, the supply chain that supports wool and textiles across Europe remains fragile, and Wales is no exception.