CLÒ MÓR : HARRIS TWEED
Monday 9 February, 9pm, BBC ALBA
THE STORY OF AN ICONIC FABRIC – ITS SURVIVAL AND ITS FUTURE
Harris Tweed is a world-renowned fabric, but its history is one of boom and bust.
With exclusive access to Yorkshire businessman, Brian Haggas, a leading figure in the Harris Tweed industry, the documentary, Clò Mór on BBC ALBA, follows Mr Haggas over the year of 2008 and explores his radical and controversial strategy for Harris Tweed.
Concentrating solely on the production of up market men’s jackets and cutting the number of tweed patterns to only five, will this bold plan ensure the survival of Harris Tweed beyond the 21st century?
Throughout history Harris Tweed played, and indeed still plays, a major role in the economy of the Western Isles. Harris Tweed has weathered the downturn in the UK textile industry that has seen so many mills crumble. In 2006, 75 year old Brian Haggas bought the largest mill in Stornoway and now, radical changes by Haggas have shaken up the industry.
Using archive film and photographs the film traces the history of Harris Tweed from the early days of Lady Dunmore, widow of the late Earl of Dunmore who had the Murray tartan copied by Harris weavers in tweed and which saw the beginning of the Harris Tweed industry, to the boom time of the 70’s and 80’s.
Former mill owner Derrick Murray, who sold his 60-year-old family tweed business to Haggas, reflects on his attempts to keep a fragile business afloat in a fast moving world.
The film includes interviews with weavers’ who face an uncertain future and discussions with Alasdair Morrison, director of Harris Tweed Hebrides and Alan Bain, director of Harris Tweed Textiles, who talk about the ‘haute couture’ gap in the market that they will fill and their views on the future of tweed for the Island.
With contributions from award winning Island dress designer and maker, Sandra Murray, who produced the dress worn by the Queen at the official opening of the Scottish Parliament, British designer Ally Capellino and the celebrity shoe designer Jimmy Choo, the film shows that Harris Tweed is still a global brand with fantastic integrity and a strong reputation.
Harris Tweed has been around for centuries but to survive in 21st century global economy, the challenge is to reinvent itself.
Clò Mór was produced and directed by Ishbel MacIver of madmac productions, filmed by Douglas Campbell and presented by Derek MacKay. The film will be broadcast on BBC ALBA on Monday 9 February at 9pm which is available on Sky channel 168 and on Freesat channel 110.