The team she met had crafted haute couture pieces for various luxury fashion houses such as Hermes, LVMH, Johnstons of Elgin and more as well as contemporary brands such as Wood Wood, and Albam. “The decision to work with Hancock’s factory to bring the collection together was the gamechanger. We witnessed firsthand the incredible talent and skills of the people involved; the whole thing clicked into place. I was desperate to create a luxury clothing brand and here were world-class craftspeople that could make it happen.” However, the rise of cheap global labour had impacted greatly on the industry and the factory was under threat of closure. With a vision to rewrite the story of British luxury fashion, Nadia made the bold move to buy the factory, and following a new factory build by Perth-based Algo Ltd (owned by her husband, Murray Alexander), it was relaunched as Alexander Manufacturing in 2022. “Our BearCo brand has flourished. What started as an idea to recreate a classic blazer has grown into a full collection of raincoats, skirts, trousers and shirts. Our waterproof macs are incredible – beautifully trimmed in the Modern Blair tartan and sold in classic navy or vibrant orange, they’ve been a huge hit.” In early 2023, the decision was made to close the Edinburgh shop and to focus on the Auchterarder boutique as the destination visit. Following a move into a larger 2,500 sqft space, and a six-figure investment, the new Oliami retail boutique and online distribution arm opened. This summer, the first batch of Mains of Mause wool was delivered to HD Woolkeepers to be scoured and spun, and the AW 2023/24 collection will be the first to include designs from flock to frock. “It’s taken a year to get off the ground but in September 2023, Murray sheared the sheep, the kids packed and rolled the wool and we all watched as it headed south to be transformed into our own yarn. “Quite apart from giving us one of the most exciting stories in British fashion, it makes perfect business sense. British Wool will give you 50p a sheep for the fleece – but it costs £1.50 to shear it. By making use of our farm by-products, we can create sustainability across the board. Which
1.
5.
The Production Cycle
1.
Wool is sheared from sheep on the family farm in Perthshire
2.
Sent to Yorkshire to be scoured and spun
3.
Yarn is returned to Macnaughtons in Perthshire to be made into the Modern Blair tartan
4.
Tartan is delivered to Alexander Manufacturing to be made into BearCo designs
5.
BearCo clothing is sold online, and in the Oliami boutique in Perthshire
2.
4.
3.
is why our cow hides are now going to Bridge of Weir to create leather for picnic blankets, straps and handbags!” Nadia has also been courting new business for Alexander Manufacturing, largely from the whisky industry, producing a range of high-end own-brand clothing for distilleries including Glenturret in Perthshire, Macleod, Macallan and Macduff. It has been a steep learning curve for the ambitious businesswoman, who is currently planning to take her BearCo collection to Milan Fashion Week in
February 2024, where she will launch her strategy to grow a worldclass brand. “It has been quite the journey, but we see Auchterarder as our long-term base. We want to become a full-experience, luxury destination for women. They’ll stay at Alexander Residence in Perth, enjoy a luxury shopping day and a factory visit, and maybe tour one of our distillery partners. “Perthshire is the home of Oliami and BearCo, and we’ve only just begun.”
oliami.co.uk Invest in Perth Magazine
21
