Navygrey

A small jumper brand based in London but born from founder Rachel Carvell-Spedding’s upbringing in the North-West of England, where she developed special connections with the woollen items owned by her family members.

Her mother is from Aberdeen and father from Lancashire. If ever she was cold as children, her parents would tell them to put a jumper on (or, if already wearing one, to put another one on).



The story began with a 23 year old navy jumper belonging to Rachel’s mother. Worn every winter, with everything, that only got better with age, it proved impossible to replace. After years spent trying and failing to source a jumper just like it, Rachel decided to create her own. The goal was to replicate that sensation you get when you pull on your favourite jumper.

Underpinned by a commitment to sustainability, Navygrey is a socially conscious knitwear label which believes in combining dedicated design and craftsmanship with a transparent supply chain from sheep to shop.



There is a collection made from 100% British wool but most of the pieces are made from wool handpicked from the best Merino sheep in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Each raw fibre can be traced back to the farm that produced it. Each piece is washed, combed, dyed and spun in one of Italy's finest mills which has been in the wool business since 1663. They are then knitted & washed in a small factory in Portugal, near Porto.



The cardigans are flattering and timeless, created in easy shades to live in.

Aside from clothing, they have launched a blanket, which just 50 pieces were created. An exclusive design made in collaboration with the only mill in the Scottish Highlands weaving tartan from 100% superfine lamb's wool spun on the banks of Loch Leven and certified by the Responsible Wool Standard.



They also produce hats, made in the UK using 100% superfine wool in an array of delightful shades.

I can't wait to see what they produce next.

By Anna Bance
February 2023