London, Paris, New York, Milan... and now, er, Ayrshire!
Louis Vuitton launches training school based at Prince Charles’ stately home
ONE of the world’s top fashion brands is launching its first training school in Scotland – in partnership with Prince Charles.
Louis Vuitton’s Textile Training Centre will open its doors next month at Dumfries House near Cumnock, Ayrshire – the stately home the prince saved for the nation.
The Parisian label, best known for its LV branded luggage and scarves, hopes the facility housed in a former sawmill will help reinvigorate Scotland’s historic textile industry.
In an intensive eight-week course, trainees will be taught how to sew, cut and edge fabrics and will produce luxury items such as scarves, capes and jumpers.
If the programme proves a success, Louis Vuitton may use the mill to manufacture for its collections.
The training academy is funded by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey (LVMH), the multinational luxury goods conglomerate which owns Louis Vuitton as well as other fashion houses such as Christian Dior Couture, Celine and Marc Jacobs.
It is the latest in a string of ‘heritage-led regeneration’ projects spearheaded by Prince Charles on the estate, now the HQ for his charity, the Prince’s Foundation.
LVMH chief executive officer Bernard Arnault said: ‘Artisans highly trained in historic crafts and skills are a key element of what makes the products of LVMH’s houses authentic.
‘The preservation and continued development of these special crafts and skills is of enormous value not just to consumers, but also importantly to the well-being of workers and local economies.
‘This excellent new facility at Dumfries House will help to ensure good jobs for valued artisans.’
Jacqueline Farrell, director of education at the Prince’s Foundation, said: ‘Scotland is the traditional home of the luxury fabrics and textiles industry and it means a lot to me to help bring in a new generation. Many big names, such as Burberry and Chanel, are clients of Scottish textile mills so the market is there.
‘However, there is a skills gap in Scotland – not enough people are learning how to sew and cut properly.
‘We are looking at a very specific course, where trainees will be taught key machinist skills and quality control that they can take forward to any respected brand. ‘This is not about teaching people to become designers, it’s about teaching them the skills to make luxury items to a brief.
‘We will be carrying out interviews in the coming weeks to select our first trainees and are open to applications from anyone keen to learn these unique skills.’
Gordon Neil, deputy executive director at the Prince’s Foundation, said: ‘Since the launch of our Future Textiles programme in October 2014, thousands of school pupils have benefited from specialist textile workshops at Dumfries House.’