Q&A with Caroline Charles

Campaign for Wool spoke to celebrated British fashion brand, Caroline Charles, to discuss how the brand has been using wool in its collections for the past 50 years.

Please tell us a little about yourselves and how your business/designs/products utilise wool?

Caroline Charles is an established London based designer brand. The head office is located in Knightsbridge and has just celebrated ’50 years in Fashion’ with the launch of a new book.

Renowned for her love of textiles and sharp tailoring, the latest AW 14 Collection is a mix of separates in vibrant colours including British Tweeds and Wools.  Animal prints and the classic Caroline Charles dogtooth check are key with signature pieces including tie bow blouses, wool crepe frill skirts and cropped pants for work wear.  Caroline Charles has dressed celebrities including Nicole Kidman, Emma Thompson, Mick Jagger and Princess Diana.

In terms of utilising wool, every collection consistently has Coats, Skirts, Jackets and Trousers using the finest wools.

Since you’ve been involved with wool, how have you seen the wool industry change?

The wool industry now provides more choice of colours and textures for a designer.

How do you source your wool?

All our wool is sourced through Trade Fairs or direct from Mills

What does the Campaign for Wool mean to you?

The Campaign for Wool reminds us all how much we like wool! By supporting the campaign it heightens the awareness to our clients and keeps the message strong about British Wool.

The fashion landscape is always changing, what does 2014/15 hold for you?

Our Fashion Landscape is Global – both customers and suppliers

Fabric technologies, particularly those using wool have advanced so rapidly over the last few years, has this affected your trade and work?

Fabric Technologies in wool have made softer and lighter fabrics more available.

What demand have you seen from your customers with regards to favouring wool over synthetic fibres?

Our clients are very conscious about the fabric content of every piece of the Caroline Charles collection.  Natural fibres are preferred over synthetic ones.   Quality and craftsmanship are considered the main company ethos.

Are there any plans to introduce more British wool in to your collection?

British Wool has been reintroduced into the Caroline Charles AW14 Collection.

This Dijon wool suit colour is fresh (photographed by Wonderland) with a modern twist and intricate weave. The jacket and skirt are both warm and cool for AW14.

With the versatility of the fabric in mind, are there any plans to introduce a SS15 wool piece?

SS15 has wool blends in the collection for early Spring deliveries.

To find out about Caroline Charles and to shop the latest collection visit http://www.carolinecharles.co.uk/