Derek Jarman’s Cottage Inspires New Tweed Collection by Social Enterprise Company Romney Tweed

Prospect Cottage, former home of world-renowned English film director, the late Derek Jarman, is the inspiration behind the new Romney Tweed Prospect Collection. This remote, distinctive black tarred cottage in Dungeness, Kent, with its bright yellow window and door frames has given rise to four new yellow and black checked luxury tweeds designed by Romney Tweed, made from top-quality Romney wool which is spun and woven in Yorkshire.

Collection designer and Weaver-in-Residence, Rosie Green says “We are proud to showcase the Prospect Collection as a love letter to the distinctive Prospect Cottage and the shingle which surrounds it. The Prospect Collection honours the resounding legacy of the cottage, in a year when the notion of home has been so important.”

Photos: Prospect Cottage and New Prospect Collection

Romney Tweed is also launching five new colours of fine worsted cloth to its contemporary Coastal Collection.

The Wool comes from single breed, often single flock, Romney sheep which have grazed in the area since 7th century. With its high lustre and durability, it is considered to be one of the best British wools and by the end of 19th century Romney sheep had been exported all over the world. The Romney wool is spun into a worsted yarn and woven into a luxury tweed, that has a drape and handle which is superior to most middle weight tweeds, meaning it can be worn next to the skin.

Social Enterprise: Romney Tweed Community Interest Company was founded in 2014 by Pat Alston following the publication of a report in 2011 that highlighted the economic downturn, which was expected to damage the local economy, following the decommissioning of Dungeness nuclear power station A site.

Aims: With high unemployment in the area, Romney Tweed encourages local industry and tourism, and helps young people to acquire skills and employment. By choosing the weaving and tweed industry to achieve these aims, Romney Tweed has dipped into the past, to medieval times, when Romney wool provided the foundation for the area’s prosperity. Romney Tweed is a niche producer making luxury tweeds in limited editions and is the first enterprise to have spun Romney wool into a worsted yarn.

Weaving Courses and Working with Students: Prior to the Covid19 outbreak Romney Tweed ran courses teaching people to weave. It also runs outreach schools’ projects and design competitions with college students which are currently being run remotely. It hopes to continue the weaving courses, outreach projects and competitions face-to-face after Lockdown.

The Three Collections – All the tweeds are 100% British wool, worsted spun, designed, woven and finished to the highest industry standard in England. Weight: 400/430 grams. Width: 150cm.

* The Prospect Collection: 4 NEW yellow and black tweeds inspired by Derek Jarman’s remote Dungeness Prospect cottage – £140 per metre;

* The Coastal Collection: 10 contemporary small-scale diamond weave tweeds including 5 NEW limited edition colours inspired by the sounds and senses evoked by the Kent coastline – £110 per metre;

* The Heritage Collection: 16 tweeds inspired by and named after historical churches on Romney Marsh – £110 per metre.
(Some of these luxury tweeds are produced in limited runs or are made-to-order. Trade prices available for wholesalers. All prices include VAT.)

* Bespoke Tweeds: Romney Tweed are experts in developing unique personalised tweed, inspired by and made for individuals and organisations, which can be used for apparel and/or accessories.

* Consumer Products: Romney Tweed has developed a range of popular, well-priced consumer tweed products which are made locally by hand. Items include weekend bags, cushions and ponchos which are available to buy online and can be made-to-order.

Certified 100% British Wool across the entire range of cloth and products (licence pending).

Sustainability: Romney Tweed is made from 100% wool which is biodegradable, recyclable, and can be produced organically. It is also durable, with inherent flame-resistant properties, has some natural water repellency and needs less washing than man-made fibres.