Pringle x Central Saint Martins

Scottish brand Pringle has launched a campaign to restore and develop its archive in collaboration with the internationally renowned fashion school Central Saint Martins college of Art and Design. Students from the BA programme in Fashion History and Theory travelled up to Pringle's Northern roots to research and catalogue the existing archives, giving the would-be designers an excellent insight to the making of Scottish heritage knitwear. "No other knitwear brand in the world has the same recognition and respect as Pringle and this project is great because it's hands on, it's not about wearing white gloves. The point is not 'newness' but how the clothes are interpreted by existing people", said CSM fashion head honcho Louise Wilson.

“We at Pringle are elated to have CSM take such an active role in developing our archives. Pringle has a rich and innovative past. Access to this can only serve to inform and inspire our future. Many, many thanks to Louise Wilson, to Alistair O’neill and all students involved - for their enthusiasm, scholarship and fresh ideas”, said Pringle CEO Amy Adair Macaire. A second part of the campaign, called the 'Pringle Day of record', will be held on August 12th at Pringle's Hawick factory, and for this event the brand has invited local Pringle fans to bring related pieces and memorabilia. Finally the CSM students will tie the project together  by designing and creating modern interpretations of the iconic archive pieces. "This is really a fantastic opportunity for us as students. Pringle has such a great heritage and history which is up there with both Burberry and Aquascutum", said CSM student Richard O'Mahony. The work will be presented in a co-hosted exhibition during London Fashion Week in February 2011.