on custodianship, education and building a legacy
Words by Robert Charnock, Chairman of Dugdale. Bros & Co.
dugdale bros. & co. is the culmination of 130 years of collective endeavour. generations of farmers, spinners, weavers, finishers and manufacturers have contributed to the growth and continuation of a company that has weathered two world wars, economic recessions, political upheaval and a global pandemic. we are proud to have played our part in supporting these skilled craftspeople over the years, and in helping to maintain huddersfield's place as the home of the english cloth industry since our founding in 1896.
My philosophy has always been that those of us at the helm of this great company are merely custodians of something that existed long before us and which should continue long after. Our role is not simply to derive personal benefit from it, but to nurture and strengthen Dugdale Bros. & Co. for the generations that follow. It is a responsibility we do not take lightly.
Central to that responsibility is the passing on of knowledge, skills and expertise. I have always taken great pride in our relationships with universities and in the opportunities we've had to support aspiring designers, tailors and textile professionals. Whether through cloth donations, educational talks, practical advice or simply opening our doors to those seeking guidance, we have long considered education an important part of our work. In recent years, we have become increasingly determined to place it at the forefront of what we do.
We wanted to give this philosophy a practical expression, bringing together our existing educational work under one dedicated initiative while creating new opportunities to engage with students, graduates, apprentices and anyone with a desire to learn more about our industry.
We will do this in the following ways:
Establishing Dugdale Academy
Our online journal, 1896, explores cloth, craftsmanship, heritage and the people behind the British textile industry. A new dedicated Dugdale Academy will section will build upon this, serving as a place to share educational articles, interviews and resources to make the knowledge and expertise within our industry more widely accessible. Alongside this, our new Instagram channel, @dugdale_academy, will provide a space for sharing ideas, celebrating emerging talent and connecting directly with the student community.
Taking cloth into the classroom
We have also embarked on our first nationwide university roadshow in partnership with the Graduate Fashion Foundation, taking the story of British cloth-making directly into universities across the country. This will be complemented by a programme of events at our London showroom, offering students, graduates and apprentices opportunities to meet industry professionals, explore cloth and develop their understanding of its manufacture and application.
Supporting emerging talent
Our longstanding relationships with universities will remain central to this work. Beyond providing talks and educational resources, we want to continue contributing to the development of courses and modules, supporting employability initiatives and acting as a critical friend to educators. We will also maintain our commitment to donating cloth and offering financial support wherever possible, helping young designers turn their ideas into reality.
Ultimately, Dugdale Academy represents a promise to the next generation. As the fashion industry moves towards a future in which provenance, responsible manufacturing and the use of natural materials become ever more important, the knowledge held within Britain's wool and textile industries has a vital role to play.
If Dugdale Bros. & Co. is to thrive for another 130 years, we must do more than preserve what has been handed down to us. We must ensure that the skills, knowledge and opportunities exist for future generations to build upon it.
Words by Robert Charnock, Chairman of Dugdale Bros. & Co.
Portrait by Arran Cross.
