Inside the Great British Wool Revival: How the UK’s ‘farm-to-fashion’ summit aims to rebuild a broken fibre economy. Read Rachel Douglass's interview with Tamara Cincik for Fashion United
British wool, despite a history spanning over 2,000 years, has been facing a perception problem. The raw material, once considered a definitive factor in shaping the UK’s economy, with roots in rural tradition, has in the modern day been regularly dismissed as a low-value, ‘throwaway’ product. Further structural complexities spanning misidentification to lack of production knowledge have created barriers in restoring this indigenous material to its former glory.
However, as conversations surrounding onshoring and localisation evolve, a new dynamic is emerging. The shift is being driven by organisations like the Great British Wool Revival (GBWR), a Fashion Roundtable initiative focused on connecting farmers directly to designers. Ahead of its inaugural summit, to be held May 19 to 20, we take a deep dive into the foundations of this revival and how dialogue surrounding British wool is unfolding.
Wool: Backbone to barren
The mind behind GBWR, Tamara Cincik, founder of the Fashion Roundtable and a member of the UK Trade and Business Commission, wanted to tackle British fashion’s supply issues head on. Having worked between fashion and parliament for much of her career, Cincik began to question the lack of understanding from policymakers over the worth of the UK’s fashion and textile production industry, despite tenacious lobbying by related organisations.
Her specific focus on wool derived during negotiations for the UK-Australia trade agreement, an important deal in a post-Brexit landscape, albeit a one that would inevitably impact British sheep farmers. What became clear to Cincik was not only the disparity in animal welfare between Britain and Australia, but also the international perspective of wool as a waste product–something that is also reflected in EPR regulations emerging in the EU.
“This just seemed insane,” Cincik exclaimed, when speaking to FashionUnited. “Historically, the backbone of our economy in [the UK] was wool. The very product which had funded our capitalist system in medieval times was now considered a waste product. The farmers were paying more to shear the sheep than they made on the wool. When we looked more closely, the more we realised that there was a complete gap in the system.”
Tickets for the Great British Wool Revival Summit are limited, please grab them while you can! The first ever “clip to consumer”summit of its kind, taking fashion from farming right through to design.
20th May is Industry Day
Taking place at Dumfries House, Scotland, in May 2026. This dedicated industry day brings together farmers, manufacturers, designers, innovators, and creatives to exchange ideas, share best practice, and build meaningful connections around regional wool, textiles, craft, and regeneration.
The programme will offer a rich mix of panel discussions, interactive workshops, tabletop sessions, and on‑site farmyard demonstrations, creating engaging, hands‑on opportunities for knowledge exchange. A key feature of the day will be a curated farmer‑to‑maker matchmaking element, designed to strengthen collaboration and spark conversation across the supply chain—from fashion to furniture and homeware.
19th May is Education Day
Each session will bring together students from colleges and universities alongside members of the public for panel discussions, presentations, and practical fleece‑to‑fibre demonstrations. The programme is designed to enhance understanding of regional wool and its use across education, creative practice, and industry.
The Summit also celebrates the success of The Great British Wool Revival project, launched in 2024. Developed through the Future Textiles initiative, the platform has helped to reconnect a fragmented supply chain—from farmer to designer—supporting best practice and Made in the UK principles from field to final product.