Luxury brand Ross Barr takes fashion industry by storm
His luxury menswear brand Ross Barr has been featured by GQ magazine and has been worn by one the country’s top models David Gandy.
Now the clothing line, which is made entirely from British wool, has been given the royal seal of approval by the Queen and Prince Charles.
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Hide AdMr Barr-Hoyland, Ross Barr founder and designer, was invited to The Prince’s Trusts Centre in Kennington to celebrate its 40th anniversary on Tuesday.
The charity helped him launch the business in September last year.
Mr Barr-Hoyland, of Walton, showed off his knitwear collection to the Queen and Prince Charles, who complimented him on the range.
He said: “The day was utterly surreal. The Queen came in and we spoke for four minutes. She asked if I was the designer and we chatted about how I manufacture products across Britain.”
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Hide AdMr Barr-Hoyland added: “Prince Charles was very complimentary and we spoke about the products supporting the British wool trade, which he is passionate about.
“It was an honour to be asked along to the event with other people who have been helped by the trust.”
The clothing label quickly took the fashion industry by storm after it was featured as one of GQ’s best looks during their Campaign for Wool.
Mr Gandy modelled the company’s signature item The Spencer – a chunky knit, double-breasted, flattering wool cardigan, which costs £189.
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Hide AdThe range is made from Scottish wool, is spun and dried in Keighley and is then manufactured in Leicester.
Mr Barr-Hoyland, 26, said: “I was thrilled David chose to wear our product. It really did take us to another level.
“We are now selling products all over the world, including Canada, France and recently in Australia.”
Mr Barr-Hoyland said growing up in Wakefield and seeing wool mills and factories close has had a big impact on how he runs his business.
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Hide AdHe said: “Having our products made in Britain and helping to regenerate the wool trade is really important to me. My grandmother worked in one of the factories in Wakefield and it has now gone.”
Mr Barr-Hoyland is now looking forward to launching his new autumn and winter collection later this year.