Meet Begg x Co

Meet Begg x Co - luxury cashmere brand and the exceptional craftspeople behind our bespoke Corinthia London blanket. 

We spoke to their creative team about their biggest sources of inspiration, sustainability initiatives and how our new blanket came to life...

• When, where and how did Begg x Co first begin?

Begg x Co was born around a decade ago, as the in-house brand of a mill, Alex Begg, which has been operating since the 1860s. Combining age-old techniques with cutting-edge technology sparked the desire to create a bold new brand. This is how Begg x Co started designing and manufacturing responsible cashmere accessories, homeware and knitwear for the modern lifestyle with mills in Ayr on the west coast of Scotland and more recently Hawick, ‘The Home of Cashmere’, in the Scottish Borders.

• Where does the team draw their inspiration from?

Our creative team take inspiration from the natural and urban environments around the mills with art, performance and music often influencing the collection themes. Our design inspiration is always drawn from our Scottish and British heritage but not in the obvious ways. We love to examine tradition but re-interpret it in a contemporary way - a plaid, an Aran knit, a sailor sweater. Scotland’s rugged coastline, imposing mountains and cinematic skies in contrast to areas of gritty urban sprawl offer a paradox of nature and industry; that’s the duality that perennially inspires the Begg x Co collections. Every piece is imagined, designed and realised with meticulous care and attention to detail.

• You recently collaborated with Corinthia London to create a beautiful bespoke cashmere blanket. Can you tell us about the creative process behind it?

The creative process was fast paced, driven and very exciting. From the outset, the brief was to create a bespoke design which captured the elegance and signature look of the hotel.

The blanket was made in our mill in Ayr, combining traditional and innovative techniques to create a beautiful product which encapsulated their brief. Our design team proposed a number of different qualities which work best for the requested design, to enhance the vibrant colouration and provide a strong graphic.

Meeting with the Corinthia London team, we embarked on the final selection process, amending colour placement and layout, to find the design which had the strongest visuals and ensure the brief was fulfilled – a true team effort.

The finished product is a reversible heavy weight, 90% lambswool, 10% cashmere blanket, hand-finished with whipped edge detailing. A beautiful, bold contemporary design, with the Corinthia signature - a perfect showcase and a great addition to their Garden.

• What sets Begg x Co apart from other luxury cashmere brands?

With industry experience dating back to the 1860s, Begg x Co champions the use of cutting-edge technology alongside traditional mill machinery and handcraft techniques by our modern-day craftspeople based in our mills in Ayr and Hawick, Scotland. We believe in small, beautifully curated collections with limited made-to-order pieces all using the very best yarns available.

Our strength is our strong distinctive feel for colour and eye for detail. Our collections have a modern aesthetic, we embrace our heritage in craft but always have our eye on the future. We focus on conscious craftsmanship, with our highly skilled team of weavers and knitters crafting sweaters, scarves, blankets and cushions. Our values – Craftsmanship, Responsibility, Authenticity, Comfort and Colour – are present in everything we do, from conception to the final delivery of the product to our audiences.

• Can you share more about your sustainability initiatives?

A deep sense of responsibility – to our people, product and planet – sits at the very core of Begg x Co. We strive to ensure that the highest social and animal welfare standards are maintained as we work towards tracing each fibre, from goat to garment. From certified energy management systems and maintaining animal welfare to improving supply chain standards and the proactive repurposing of waste, we are always looking to improve the impact we have on the environment and the community around us.

Every year we launch our Responsibility Report. This is a fundamental moment for us to pause and audit what has been done, celebrating our accomplishments and planning the roadmap ahead.

• Begg x Co has a beautiful store in Burlington Arcade, Mayfair. What makes this area of London so special?

When we opened our first brand home in the prestigious Burlington Arcade, we invited director Charlotte James to present the area through the eyes of those who know it best - you can watch it here. Mayfair and the Arcade make up a very special part of London, where old characters and new meet.

Staying true to the brand’s values centering on responsible craftsmanship, the new store has been designed by Storey Studio, taking a sustainable approach with inspiration from the paradox of urban and rural landscapes around Begg x Co’s hometown of Ayr, Scotland. Contrasting textures reflect this duality and industrial materials reference the machinery of the mills.

• What’s next for Begg x Co?

We have just launched our Alpine, our first pre-spring collection, which you can discover on our website and in our store at Burlington Arcade. With Burlington as our new home in the heart of London, we have many exciting plans for the year ahead.

Our bespoke Begg x Co and Corinthia London blanket is available to purchase online or in our hotel shop.