Johnstons of Elgin, manufacturers of cashmere knitwear, accessories and fine woollens since 1797, has scooped the hotly contested Heritage Award, for businesses with their roots in British traditions, at the UK Fashion and Textile Export Awards today.

With a record number of entries, the awards recognise and celebrate outstanding sales performance in international trade. Johnstons joined other finalists from across the UK, including sellers of vintage clothing, directional British brands, newcomers, as well as the giants with a long established reputation for selling overseas, at the glittering ceremony hosted by HRH, The Princess Royal, President of the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT).

London may be one of the fashion capitals of the world, but global recognition can also be found in Scotland as Group Managing Director of Johnstons, James Dracup comments: “I am delighted that the efforts of 700 people who are employed manufacturing textile product at Johnstons in Scotland have been recognised at this prestigious event. 

“In both our knitwear factory in the Scottish Borders and our weaving plant in the Highlands of Scotland, skilled craftsmen and women ensure from start to finish in the manufacturing process that skills preserved through generations of families are represented in the contemporary products made today.”

“Increasingly our customers are interested in the values of heritage, authentic manufacturing and the provenance of the Made in Scotland label.”

Two other Scottish textiles companies narrowly missed out on their own gongs at the awards.  Begg Scotland was a finalist in the Textiles category and knitwear specialist Eribé made it through to the final of the Small Business category.

The awards are also supported by Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International (SDI), as Cathy Black, head of textiles at Scottish Enterprise, comments:  “The UKFT awards are regarded as the leading accolades for fashion and textiles companies and it is testament to the continued hard work of the Scottish textiles industry, who continue to deliver quality product to a wide customer base, that we had such a representation in this competition. 

“This recognition demonstrates the continued strength and growth of the textiles sector in Scotland and the international reputation of the companies and their products. Many congratulations to Johnstons on winning the Heritage award and to Begg and Eribé for making it to the final of their categories. ”

The judging panel, chaired by Steve Newbold, managing director, Emap Connect, included Muriel Piaser, representing Prêt à Porter Paris, Nick Cook of ITE Moda, Nicola Copping of the Financial Times, Jessica Brown of Drapers and Dolly Jones of VOGUE.COM UK.

The prize list for this year’s UK Fashion Export Awards includes stands at Moda Menswear in Birmingham, Prêt à Porter Paris, The Train New York, Mode City Paris & Interfilière and Pure Accessories in London. Other prizes include a subscription to WGSN.com and travel vouchers from Textile Forum.