At Beatrice Bayliss, the creation of every garment begins with a story rooted in the land and shaped by skilled hands. Quiet craftmanship is one of our core pillars and rooted deep in our ethos here at BB; taking time to do all things with care and a focus on sustainability with respect for people and the planet is at the core of our work.
Our wool comes from Cotswold sheep also known as Cotswold lions due to their long forelock, raised on local farms in the UK. Instead of these sheep being part of an industrial machine, they are reared with care, respect and love by farmers which are truly proud of them, they are farmed with a rich heritage that prioritises animal welfare and ethical treatment. Cotswold Sheep provide soft, durable and naturally beautiful wool that doesn’t require heavy processing. By sourcing our wool directly from these farms close to our founder, Emily’s home, we know where each strand comes from leading to us forming strong relationships with farmers and therefore ensuring the shepherding tradition continues.
Once the fleece is shorn, it stays close to home. Instead of the wool being shipped overseas to anonymous large production lines, it is washed, spun and knitted entirely within the UK. Working with independent artisan knitters which allows for care and quality to be at the heart of each garment, every stitch is intentional which makes each BB piece one-of-a-kind. The artisan approach means that no two pieces are ever exactly identical, instead the subtle individuality proves that we honour the tradition of human craftsmanship, rather than products of mass-produced templates.
We chose to follow this path of quietly crafted and slowly made garments for many reasons. One of the main factors is that it ensures quality that lasts, wool handled with care retains its strength and softness, which outlives the short product lifecycle of fast fashion. Being able to follow the journey of your garment from farm to wardrobe also means that when you buy from BB you’re supporting local farmers and independent artisans which keeps both British farming and knitting traditions alive. When you wear a Beatrice Bayliss garment, you’re not just buying clothes, you’re carrying a piece of the Cotswolds, the warmth of the farmhouse and the skill of the artisan who poured their time and passion into the garment with you.
We are quietly crafted, slowly made and most of all proudly British.
By Lorna McBain