Cirencester · The Cotswolds · Est. 2025
From Cotswolds sheep to finished piece — a wearable celebration of Cirencester's wool heritage, made entirely within 12 miles of home.
Cirencester's remarkable prosperity was built on the back of the medieval wool trade. The grand churches, the market square, the very character of this Cotswolds town — all shaped by fleece, loom and craft.
We are honouring that legacy with something tangible. A special gilet, made entirely within 12 miles of our Cirencester showroom. Wool from local sheep, woven by local hands, finished with local pride.
This page is a living record of the project — updated as each chapter of the journey unfolds.
Every step of production — from the sheep's fleece to the finished gilet — takes place within 12 miles of our Cirencester showroom.
The Process
Selecting the right Cotswolds sheep whose wool carries the natural character and quality this project demands.
In ProgressThe fleece is gathered by local shepherds — a practice unchanged for centuries in these rolling hills.
Coming SoonThe wool is woven into cloth by skilled artisans right here in the Cotswolds — keeping the tradition alive.
Coming SoonThe finished cloth becomes the gilet — cut, sewn and crafted within touching distance of where the story began.
Coming SoonThe Story Behind the Story
Long before the Cotswolds became famous for its honey-stone villages and scenic drives, it was famous for one thing above all others: the finest wool in England.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, Cirencester was one of the most important wool markets in England. Merchants from across Europe travelled here to buy Cotswolds fleece — famed for its fineness, length and lustre. So valued was it that it became known abroad simply as "Cotswold Lions".
The wealth generated by the wool trade transformed Cirencester. The Church of St John the Baptist — often called the Cathedral of the Cotswolds — was substantially funded by wool merchants. The grand market place, the merchant townhouses, the very architecture of the town is a monument to the fleece.
Today, Cotswolds sheep still graze these same limestone hills. The breed itself — the Cotswold — was shaped over centuries specifically for its remarkable wool. Producing this gilet is our small way of honouring that living, breathing chain of history.
By insisting that every step happens within 12 miles of Cirencester, we're not just making a garment — we're keeping a craft chain alive. Every farmer, every weaver, every maker involved is part of this Cotswolds community.
The Journal
May 2025 · Update 001
We're thrilled to announce the start of this very special project. The idea is simple: celebrate Cirencester's extraordinary wool heritage by creating a gilet in which every single step of production takes place within 12 miles of our showroom. The journey begins now.
Announcement✦ More updates coming
This journal will grow with the project. Check back as we share each stage of the journey — from flock to finished gilet.
Be the first to hear about each new chapter as this project unfolds.
