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Combining tech and heritage is something we at Archibald understand all too well. Tried, tested and perfected methods of craftsmanship augmented through digital innovation is our bread and butter.
Having built a close relationship with our woven clothing mill, the team began to investigate the broader landscape of making in Scotland. That was when we came across a rather special town.The very first knitting machine was brought to Hawick in 1771, drawn to the region because of on an even older local tradition of carpet manufacture and trade. That first machine forever changed the town, giving it an international name for excellence in knitwear that it holds to this day.
200 years on, the renown of the town’s craftspeople has stuck around even as big brands turned their backs and closed up shop. Hawick is experiencing what we’ve seen in communities all over the world with a tradition of craftsmanship. Manufacturing has moved out, scaled up, dropped the quality, and taken advantage of poor labour laws in developing nations. With local stalwarts closing their mills, Hawick experienced a sharp economic decline. Brands that were bought out by international investors continued to profit from the reputation of the Scottish knitwear tradition even though they had long since moved production. Cheap labour, fast fashion, and a disregard for the environmental and human impact of mass production were the new order of the day.
Sir Walter Scott, famed Scottish poet and playwright, wrote the following around the exact time Hawick was experiencing its first manufacturing boom: ‘Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.’ In its intended context the quote refers to a tragic love story, but we think it applies to the deceptions perpetuated by heritage brands. ‘Heritage’ labels have misled consumers into believing they represent a tradition of craftsmanship they’ve long since abandoned. We resolved to challenge them by providing a superior product, sold transparently and in partnership with makers in Hawick.
Using centuries old techniques combined with specialised tech, the craftspeople at Hawick are able to shear the Lambswool used in our knitwear at the exact right moment to ensure it is optimal for production. Lambswool is the special, highly coveted wool that is produced from the first shearing of a lamb at about six or seven months. Naturally breathable, lambswool keeps the wearer snug in winter and cool in warmer months. Fine, Grade A cashmere is used too, though only if it adheres to strict quality standards at the mill. They say there’s something in the water of the river near the mill, used to scour the fabric and restore it to its naturally soft state, that gives the lambswool and cashmere knitted in Hawick an extra supple touch.
We like to think that each item made in Hawick for Archibald and purchased by our community sends a strong message to brands still profiting from place-based reputations for excellence.
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Learn MoreArchibald, (Un)dressed - our entire collection, up to 25% off
Archibald was founded on the principle of bringing people together to celebrate quality, craftsmanship, and human excellence. We want to allow as many people as possible to own and enjoy items made by the world’s most talented craftsmen using only the finest materials.
With this in mind, we never intended to offer discounts or operate sales of any sort because our pricing approach didn’t build in an ability to do so. Traditional retail operates on the false-discount model, where the price they expect you to purchase for is generally different from the sticker price of the item being sold. We opted against these games and prioritized value, offering fair and transparent pricing as a fundamental tenet of our brand.
Over the past few years, we faced significant challenges that tested our resilience. From a craftsman altering product specifications without notice during the pandemic to delayed pre-orders of sneakers in early 2023, these events brought us to the brink. However, each challenge has ultimately strengthened our commitment to excellence. With lessons learned, we’ve worked hard to ensure that today, our brand is stronger—in product, systems, and service. Yet, we know there is always room for growth, and we remain focused on continually improving the experience we offer you.
More importantly, these issues, though resolved, caused frustration among some of our customers. While many of the negative reviews don’t reflect the extensive efforts made to resolve each incident—often resulting in happy outcomes—those experiences still prompted some customers to voice their dissatisfaction. We understand that each represents a moment where we could have done better, and we take each one seriously.
If our products intend to stand alongside those from brands we look up to, like Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana, Ermenegildo Zegna, and Loewe, then offering them through a more direct and inclusive pricing model should not compromise the level of service and experience that accompanies them. The artisans we work with have dedicated their lives to creating exceptional products, and anything less than an equally exceptional experience would do a disservice to their craft—and to you, our valued customers.
For the time being, as we continue to build back strong, Archibald is (Un)dressed and you can enjoy a generous 25% off our already disruptive and fair prices.
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