If you didn't already know, our studio sits within the last working power loom textile mill in Langholm - Buccleuch Mill. This season, we are introducing a fabric which was woven right here! Read on to find out more about the fabric and the Mill's significance. 

THE HISTORY OF BUCCLEUCH MILL

Criterion Mills (which it was its original name) was originally built in 1878 for William Scott and Henry Erskine. However, the company failed and the mill was bought out by Arthur Bell in 1888, complete with all the equipment. ⁠Arthur bell extended it and in 1893 it was re-named Buccleuch Mill.

At its height, 160 people were employed in the Mill. Workers from Langholm and the surrounding areas would arrive at the mill to begin a day's graft, and left in the evening; no doubt exhausted and hungry but with the quiet satisfaction of having earned their keep. ⁠

A loom at work inside the mill

In the twentieth century two world wars and their aftermaths produced high demand followed by periods of recession. The number of companies diminished steadily. In the second half of the century changes in fashion towards less formal wear, the introduction of new technology and the transfer of manufacturing operations to lower wage rate areas of the world combined to reduce the number of workers employed.

Arthur Bell (Scotch Tweeds) inhabited the Mill until it sadly closed in 2002. ⁠

The Bell's Mill was taken over in 2008 by the Langholm Initiative and is now a bustling hub for small/meduim business. Many of the businesses centre around textiles, such as Drove Weavers, Glen Isla, Yarns to Yearn For, Elliot's Shed and most recently Rose’s Wardrobe!

Drove Weavers is thriving as the demand for quality, woven in the UK fabric, has risen. Weaving beautiful fabrics for high end brands, now including Rose's Wardrobe!

Our new fabric was woven on Drove Weavers' latest machine, which can add personalised lettering into the selvedge. We love how this looks and have found ways to incorporate the selvedges into our designs. 

The fabric is a windowpane check in navy and pale blue, made from 100% wool. It will be limited edition, but we have enough to make quite a few items! We will be offering 'Polly' waistcoats, 'Rosie' and 'Elizabeth' skirts and 'Anna' bags in the new fabric.

As always, you can request a different item in this fabric by filling out our bespoke order form.

'An Autumn Stroll' Part 2 will be released on the 21st of October at 6pm, featuring the windowpane check and more. Set your alarms now to secure your new items! 

THE TEAM

Rose’s Wardrobe was founded by Emma and Leanne after both having over 12 years of experience between them working in high street, vintage inspired, and fashion supplier backgrounds. The inspiration from Rose’s Wardrobe derived from Emma and Leanne’s muses - their grandmas and great grandma - Patricia, Edna, and Rose. The aim is to produce replicas of the beautiful clothes their grandmas wore, using colours, styles and prints from the 1940’s through to the 1960’s. You can connect with Rose’s Wardrobe on Facebook,Instagram and Pinterest. Have a look at where Rose’s Wardrobe will be here. Read our sustainability statement. Or, shop the collection.