Colour, craftsmanship and creativity all spring to mind when describing Begg x Co’s pure cashmere knitwear, scarves, blankets and throws. From its home in Scotland, this 160-year-old brand upholds artisan tradition but with an eye on the future. “We are traditional in our craftsmanship and our techniques, even if we innovate constantly; but we are very forward-thinking in terms of new processes, developments, colours and design,” says CEO Bruno Guillon.
In 2025, Guillon brought in renowned fashion designer Vanessa Seward as Creative Director to work alongside the brand’s design team. Her debut capsule collection, for Autumn/Winter 2025, drew on the Scottish landscape with bespoke cashmere yarns evoking the colours and texture of heather, or the mountains and skies. She also took inspiration from Begg x Co’s archive and mills, which are split between Ayr on the west coast and Hawick, the “home of cashmere”, in the Scottish Borders.
“Made in Scotland” is both a proud declaration of origin and key to Begg x Co’s success in exporting to the US, Japan, China and Europe. At its London flagship store, customers can see first-hand the quality that has been stitched into the brand from the beginning, when founder Alex Begg handcrafted cashmere for luxury fashion and homeware brands. Indeed, the company dates back to 1866 but is rooted in the modern day regarding responsible practice. B Corp certified, it is working towards net zero targets and, production-wise, has already achieved zero waste. Its 100 per cent natural cashmere is inherently sustainable and long-lasting. To further enhance that longevity, Begg x Co works with Cashmere Circle, a collective of luxury knitwear experts based in Scotland, offering an invisible mending service.
Begg x Co’s environmental agenda is matched by its commitment to its craftspeople, engaging them in technical advances and expansion into new markets. Here, Guillon is inspired by the Royal Family’s leadership style. “This kind of strong leadership has a certain kindness, the power of a leader who truly takes care of people, who listens to them,” he says. Hence, management bonuses at Begg x Co are linked not just to profit and sustainability targets, but to the outcomes of the company staff survey.
“The voices of our craftspeople are important,” says Guillon. They reflect the sense of pride felt in the meticulously crafted cashmere pieces. It can take 20 people and almost as many production stages to finish the brand’s luxurious shawl-collar Yacht cardigan. For the super-light Wispy scarf, Begg x Co uses patented spinning techniques. The ombré Nuance scarves and throws, meanwhile, feature a subtle blend of colour from fringe to fringe. They are crafted from a bespoke yarn of blended, hand-dyed cashmere, also developed using patented methods, and are finished by brushing naturally with teasels to create the signature glossy ripple effect.
The work is highly specialised and, mindful of its responsibility to preserve the skills it relies on, Begg x Co has an apprenticeship scheme to connect the new generation with mentors who have decades of experience. “We put the best around them,” says Guillon, “so they feel they are not just here to do a job, they are here to do something a bit magic.” That magic, he hopes, will also draw in a younger customer base, attracted not just to the company’s low-key no-logo luxury, but also its sustainability credentials. “The culture we need to translate to young people is our sincerity, our transparency.” This means knitting together each new collection in a meaningful way for its people, the community and environment.
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