Harris Tweed® is unique and as such production against replication is protected by the Certification of Orb regulated by the Harris Tweed Authority. At a time when the concepts of sustainability, heritage and provenance are central to our lives, Harris Tweed® communicates these values through the cloth and its story.

The 24-month KTP project (2021- 2023) uses design innovation to minimise, manage wool waste, and explore environmental processes by introducing circularity principles into the Harris Tweed® industry to provide year-round and sustainable business demand for the brand and the home weaver industry on the isles of Lewis and Harris.

This project is funded by Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programme and co-funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Project Aims & Outcomes

The aim of the project is to generate year-round, sustainable business demand for the Harris Tweed Hebrides brand and the home weaver industry on the isles of Lewis and Harris, together with establishing the brand’s position in relation to the growing legislative and consumer focus on sustainability.

This is being explored through:

• Sustainable Product Development - Using design innovation to minimise and manage wool waste and explore environmentally friendly options/processes to introduce Circular Economy principles into business operations.
• Innovative Product Development - Developing & delivering a strategy for access to new markets and for increasing production of Spring/Summer ranges or non-seasonal products.
• Developing Innovation Culture - Developing an innovation-led design approach platform within the business, including a strategy for open innovation using a variety of the company's new & existing stakeholder.

Project staff

• Josie Steed, Gray’s School of Art
• Dr Karen Cross, Gray’s School of Art

Testimonial

"The KTP has been invaluable for Harris Tweed Hebrides. Our Associate, Beth Wilson, has explored exciting product development innovations, improved productivity, and built on our sustainability credentials which will help transform our business for the future. The partnership with Robert Gordon University has given our company access to a vast knowledge base and as the project comes to an end our relationship continues as we have committed to further projects with various schools across the university.’ - Ruth Masson, Marketing Manager, Harris Tweed Hebrides