June was a very busy month for the team with lots of invitations to attend and exhibit at some industry shows, taking place in the region as well as nationally.
As members of UKFT Association since 2021, we were invited to attend the summer reception held at the October Gallery in London on 30th June. UKFT is the largest British fashion and textile network helping companies to build business at home and abroad. This was a great opportunity for us to meet with other members from the industry and to exchange new ideas and ways to work together in the future. Along with our sister company, The Natural Fibre Company, who produce our Blacker Yarns ranges in the mill in Cornwall, we are building some great relationships with those working within the industry helping us to grow our reputation as a leading producer of 100% British wool yarns providing traceability, sustainability and support for the circular economy at our core.
Pictured: Sarah, Marketing and PR Support; Colin, CEO of Blacker Yarns and The Natural Fibre Company and Paula Mcilwraith, UKFT Textiles Membership Manager
During the same week at the kind invitation of Falmouth University we visited the New Designers event at London’s Business Design Centre. This well-established, annual event showcases the very best emerging creative talent from higher education institutions across the country and the designers and innovators of the future. We were delighted to see the wonderful work of the Falmouth University graduates on display. As part of a new collaboration with 2nd year students and lecturers from Falmouth University, we provided an industry brief relating to this year’s Birthday Yarn. We invited the Textile Design students, who are studying Weave, Print and Mixed Media, to create a narrative and yarn collection for us and we are delighted with the winning student’s concept – which we have put it into production, and we’ll be sharing more details of this year’s theme and full range very soon.
We were also at the Devon County Show with our trade stand with our colleagues from The Natural Fibre Company and despite the varying weather conditions, something that we always prepare for during the summer months, we had a wonderful time. It was so nice to meet some of our regular customers and social media followers as well as to chat to new customers and introduce them to our lovely Blacker Yarn ranges. The Devon County Show is held each year and is a family friendly event held at Westpoint Arena in Exeter organised by The Devon County Agricultural Association. As well as trade stands there’s a full programme of activities including sheep and angora judging rings and commercial sheep in their pens including Jacob, Lleyn, White Face Dartmoor and Exmoor Horn, all on display with a chance to get up close and admire these beautiful creatures in the flesh.