From Flock to Frock – A Wool Story

By Elena Taggart

Green Thomas

Luxury Scottish Textile Manufacturers

It will come as no surprise that Scotland boasts a strong crafting heritage in fabrics and garments, but what about today? Who is pioneering the future in Scottish fashion and design and ensuring these artisan skills live to see the next generation. I was lucky to speak to two founders of two incredible Scottish businesses pioneering fresh designs and keeping that craftsmanship alive.

Alexander Manufacturing

Based in North Lanarkshire, Alexander Manufacturing is one of the last remaining manufacturers of luxury garments in Scotland who operate a circular production model, as Nadia herself says: “from flock-to-frock”.  Once the house that invented the Mackintosh coat, they have produced couture for Hermes, Johnstons of Elgin and LMVH, who own Dior, Louis Vuitton and Celine to name but a few.  But for the founder Nadia Alexander, it hasn’t been the easiest route.

After an experience that Nadia described as a “nightmare, dressed as a daydream” the thriving Alexander Manufacturing was born in 2022.  As she describes it having very little knowledge of manufacturing the year before Nadia had invested in a business that was in a sorry state believing that she could turn its fortune around, but later that year the business folded.  However with admirable tenacity and determination Nadia refused to quit there.  Bringing in further investment and her husband as an initially somewhat reluctant partner the inimitable Nadia kept moving forward.

Luxury Scottish Textile Manufacturers
Nadia Alexander Manufacturing
Passion and Drive

A few months later they had tripled the manufacturing space and retained and increased the number of skilled craftsmen and women they employed.  Nadia feels like the last few years have been the hardest of her career to date  “but I can honestly say that this was the best thing I have ever done. We have a team that have so much passion and drive and have been open to every opportunity that has been put in front of them, they are the most talented people I have ever met and they inspire me everyday.”  Nadia positively shines when talking about her team, working with such a creative and passionate team, definitely agrees with her.

She said “I fully believe that if you go into business for an easy life then you are going down the wrong path altogether, as you start there is no such thing as work life balance, as it becomes the centre of your world”.  But she added “you must get enjoyment out of it, it has to bring that reward”.  You can tell Nadia is truly passionate about her team and manufacturing in Scotland, bringing Scottish skills and trades to the world. She says you have to be vocal about what you are doing, “never be afraid of shouting about what you do and I have been doing a lot of that the last few years and I can slowly see it starting to pay off”.

Inspired by Scotland

Nadia says the collections and designs of Alexander Manufacturing are inspired by Scotland itself.  Studying mills and makers the length and breadth of the country Nadia was blown away by the level of skill and design we have on our doorstep.  “A big project for me when taking over the business was to somehow develop a working relationship between agriculture and fashion”.  Which sounds intriguing, with the imminent launch of new designs which deliver this vision Alexander Manufacturing aims to create a Scottish couture offering rather than “another country brand”. Nadia thinks the concepts will very much sit alongside the superlux bands gracing catwalks today “I think the difference is every design has been very much considered, I have sourced everything locally and manufactured using our own fabric using my “flock-to-frock” model.”  Which I love, you heard it here first – “flock-to-frock”.

Staying in Scotland

From flock to Hyndland Road too, Nadia expanded her retail arm to include Hyndland landmark Pampas Clothing. Nadia believes the Glasgow Westend is the right place in Glasgow to showcase the quality and authenticity of her designs. “I am so proud to work with the team at Pampas, the clientele is well established and the team are working so hard to incorporate the new brands and changes we have made to the store.” 

Building on the strong base of skilled mills and makers already in Scotland, Nadia hopes that Alexander Manufacturing, and others, continue to attract young Scottish talent into the industry.  “More than anything, we need to champion our mills and makers and the talent in which they have, now is the time for us to attract the younger generation.”

Staying in Scotland and further investment is key to their business, Nadia said “ if we do not invest in this now it shall be too late.  There is so much going on here at the moment and designers are traveling from all over the globe to showcase their collections in Scotland, you only have to look at the recent Dior Couture event which was held in Scotland.”  Nadia feels that Scotland is at the center point of a fashion moment and we need to leveredge that.

One Stop Shop

“I fully believe that 2025 is going to be the year where Scotland is going to be on every designer’s radar and we very much hope that we can attract them to Alexander Manufacturing.”  I hope so too, exciting times ahead for a standout Scottish manufacturer which we can all support I am sure!

“We have been pulling together the most exquisite fabric library showcasing all the mills that Scotland and the wider UK has to offer. We really aim to offer a one stop shop and build a co-creation hub where brands can work with us from far and wide and get to know the makers that bring their collections to life.  There is not another manufacturer in the UK that offers that service.”

The World Should be Wool

This year Nadia and the team at Alexander Manufacturing were truly honoured when selected to manufacture the formal wear for Team GB at the 2024 Paris Olympics.   They diligently crafted 560 suits in their Cumbernauld facility and all fabrics and components were sourced within the UK to ensure that that athletes stepped out in something they were proud to wear.  “It has been a very special time for all of us,” Nadia said.

I must admit I love the Alexander Manufacturing mission:  “The World should be Wool”. Nadia describes it as a little bit of fun but what I admire about it is that focus. They know where they want to get to and they have a clear vision, “we focus on the use of wool in our collections, it is the most incredible fabric, has endless health benefits, supports local agriculture and allows us to showcase the best of Scottish design in tailoring and outerwear.” What is not to love about that?

Onwards and Upwards in 2025

Nadia has big plans for 2025.  They plan to build a brand new manufacturing hub, where they are able to showcase their circular business model.  They are currently drawing up plans for a 15000 sq ft facility in the heart of North Lanarkshire. This new facility will house a farm shop concept store, an artisans training academy so Alexander Manufacturing can execute a new apprentice scheme and a fulfillment center for the super lux brands they work with. In addition they also plan to build a co-creation lab where brands will have an innovative creative space to design and develop along with their in-house team of skilled craftspeople.  They are working closely with Scottish Enterprise, but also might seek external funding to execute this vision as quickly as possible.

It is very clear in conversation with Nadia, she has many moving parts to juggle but is clearly able to do it and do it with vision, “As I’m sure you can see, we have big plans for the business but I firmly believe that there is a gap that needs to be filled and I am determined to fill it.” 

My last question and always a favourite, advice to any new business owners, anyone with a dream? “Don’t be afraid to dream big.  Many people told me I was mad and I should have walked away. It would have been less heartache!! That was what gave me the strength to drive forward.  The only other piece of advice I will give is that collaboration is key to huge success.”

Green Thomas
Luxury Scottish Textile Manufacturers
Green Thomas

Another business showcasing innovation and edgy design in Scottish fashion is Green Thomas, founded by Emma Green and Alan Thomas Dibble – hence the Green Thomas.  Alan and Emma met on their first day at Central Saint Martins in London in the 90’s.  After working separately for global fashion brands in Australia, the UK and America they came together in 2015.   As a small UK brand their focus is on making their designs in Scotland using only the best yarns from local mills.

What inspires their bold exciting designs? Alan said “We love pattern and colour and are known for our bright playful use of graphic patterns. We like to take traditional textile patterns such as Argyles, Houndstooth and Checks and play with scale and placement to create something new in knitwear.”  This is certainly true their designs are both stand out and bold taking a fresh interesting twist to patterns that would otherwise be the “shortbread tin” version of Scotland. I asked Alan where the vision for their collections come from? “Our collections evolve rather than change completely every season with some of our designs being a constant in the collection but updated with new colourways. We also like to add in a small range of printed bags each season inspired by our knitwear and made in our studio as limited editions.” 

Scottish Heritage

As a business highlight, Alan and Emma were delighted to receive an order from Clarence House, it seems it’s not only me that is a fan of their designs, Catherine is too. “We did a double take when we saw the name and address on the order.”

Evidently Scottish heritage is hugely important to their brand “We have such a rich textile heritage and especially a knitwear heritage here that we like to celebrate that in our designs and by always making the collection in Scotland.”  Alan feels that Scotland makes the best knitwear in the world (I agree) and there are still pockets of excellence in manufacturing here. They work with around four small factories in Scotland in Hawick, Ayr and Aberdeenshire and know most of the people who work there by name. In his words “Scotland has a really vibrant scene of small designers, makers and craftspeople and we are proud to be part of that.” 

As well as selling through shops and online Green Thomas also like to be hands-on, they take part in local design fayres to present their collections and meet customers in person. They often exhibit in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and The Burrell Collection as part of Tea Green Design Market so watch out for them if you see these events, they are well worth a visit to get a snapshot of local home grown talent.

Luxury Scottish Textile Manufacturers
Green Thomas
What’s Next?

Sustainability is incredibly important to both Alan and the brand: “We only use natural yarns, wools and cashmere, sourced from a Scottish Mill and knit in small quantities to minimise waste. Our knitwear is made to last, we have customers contacting us to let us know the quality is amazing and it still looks as good now as when they bought it 8 years ago.”

I wanted to know what is next for this innovative fashion house: Japan.  “We work very closely with our agent in Japan to develop our business there. It’s taken us a while to get established in Japan but the effort and perseverance has been worthwhile. Being Made in Scotland is incredibly important to Japanese customers and our brand is seen as collectable there, they admire the quality and appreciate our directional take on knitwear.”

I have to put my hands up and say I was gifted one of their absolutely delicious scarfs a year or so ago, it’s the most amazing quality and I can honestly say I can’t wait until winter to wear it again!

Green Thomas are stocked in independent stores, museums and department stores globally and have a cult following in Japan.

For more on the Luxury Scottish Textile Manufacturers featured, visit –

Alexander Manufacturing designs are stocked in Pampas in Hyndland and Oliami in Auchterarder.

Green Thomas Knitwear

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