Harris Tweed Hebrides

Case Study

Harris Tweed Hebrides + Robert Gordon University

Weaving Innovation into Heritage: Expanding Horizons for Harris Tweed

Learn how this KTP blended heritage textiles with design innovation to reach global markets.

Harris Tweed Hebrides and Robert Gordon University KTP thumbnail

Awards and Achievements

KTP Final Grade: A ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The project was awarded the highest grade of "Outstanding" by the KTP Grading Panel for its achievement in meeting KTP's objectives.

MA Fashion & Textiles 📖

KTP Associate Beth Wilson undertook her Master’s in Fashion & Textiles while working remotely at Harris Tweed Hebrides.
Find out more about MA Fashion & Textiles 📖

Harris Tweed Hebrides is a global textile brand deeply rooted in its Scottish heritage, producing c.75% of all Harris Tweed fabric, making it the largest private producer in the market.

Robert Gordon University

Robert Gordon University provides industry led undergraduate and postgraduate courses leading to highly relevant awards and degrees.

Gray's School of Art

This project was led by Gray’s School of Art with primary research interests in fashion management, textile design, sustainable fashion and circular economy. Gray’s School of Art is an influential, multidisciplinary art school that has been leading and defining creative culture and development for over 130 years.

What was the need?

The Challenge

What was the need?

This KTP aimed to develop new innovative Harris Tweed Hebrides textile products to facilitate international market access, providing year-round sustainable business demand for the Harris Tweed brand and its network of 130+ self-employed home weavers while still adhering to the legislative requirements of the 1993 Harris Tweed Act.

Harris Tweed Hebrides, which produces 65% of all Harris Tweed manufactured, faced seasonality as a challenge. They aimed to develop new woven fabric that will test their current business model and manufacturing processes thereby facilitating step changes in the design, manufacture and branding of products that minimise seasonality and maximise sustainability.

What did we do?

The Solution

The KTP developed HTH’s first end use product collection including technological improvements by introducing the first use of CAD in the Harris Tweed industry. Environmentally conscious processes were implemented to minimise waste and increase sustainability. Achieving OEKO TEX Standard 100 certification (no harmful chemicals in manufacturing) enabled the development of strategic collaborations across international markets.

“The KTP has been invaluable, exploring exciting product development innovations, improved productivity, building on our sustainability credentials and transforming our business for the future. The partnership with RGU gave us access to a vast knowledge base and our relationship continues with our commitment to further projects with the university.”

Ruth Masson

Marketing Manager | Harris Tweed Hebrides

What changed?

The Impacts and Benefits

The KTP developed the ‘Natural Collection’ of fabrics made using undyed British wool which removes a stage of mill processing thereby ensuring lower carbon footprint and lower chemical use in production. The partnership was also awarded a follow-on AKT project exploring the effect of dye on the biodegradability of wool and its properties.

Environmental 🌿

The KTP introduced sustainable green practices in the manufacturing process, creating the ‘Natural Collection’ which is a selection of undyed fabric with a lower carbon footprint and reduced chemical use in production.

Societal/Community 👥

New product innovations developed support sustainable year-round business which maintains employment across the Isle of Lewis and Harris, directly with HTH mill workers and indirectly through the self-employed weaving population.

Commercial growth 📈

The KTP boosted turnover with the introduction of CAD software, supporting existing sales accounts. OEKO TEX Standard 100 accreditation increased competitiveness, facilitating new customer acquisition across China, Japan, EU and USA.

Research 🔍

Applied a design-led approach to drive product innovation that maintains legislative compliance. First use of CAD in Harris Tweed industry, improving efficiency in the design development process

Associate 🎓

The Associate undertook a Biomimicry course in Costa Rica and obtained an MA in Fashion and Textiles from RGU. She was also shortlisted for KTP Future Leaders Award in 2022.

The People

Meet the Team

Josie Steed

Associate Dean for Research at Gray's School of Art

Her research specifically focusses on raising the profile of Scottish manufacturing and creative businesses within a global context through knowledge exchange.
She has gained external recognition and funding for a broad range of research and design innovation projects including Innovate UK, Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Scottish Government and The Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SISCA).
To date she has led on three Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).

Beth Wilson

KTP Associate

Beth Wilson studied Design for Textiles (Fashion, Interiors, Art) at Herriot-Watt, and a MA in Fashion & Textiles at RGU in parallel with her KTP Associate role. She developed sustainable practices and processes to support year-round textile production.

Interested in more information?

Contact