Fascinating isn't it. Although it does get the blood pressure up. I cannot understand what Haggas was thinking. Arrogance, ignorance or plain stupidity. What he's done is practically criminal. There's no plainer example in this country of an industry that isn't 'just business'.
"There's no plainer example in this country of an industry that isn't 'just business'."
That was exactly the problem wasn't it? He keeps excusing his failure by saying, "the people who love Harris Tweed do so with nostalgia... it's dead", whilst the folk on Saville Row know better. I think people who work on a global scale forget that smaller specialist (though equally successful and luxurious) businesses also have a valid and thriving client base. But he wanted the big bucks by selling the completed product himself rather than run a mill that supplied other businesses... essentially, he seemed to be running a thoroughly modern business model for a product that doesn't quite fit that mold.
And the very fact that his jackets were produced over in China speaks volumes! It isn't exactly in line with the idea of a regional home-grown product. Whereas the Saville Row tailors, by comparison, have clients who are more in tune with the wealth of work, skill and passion that goes into their garments, right down to the choice of cloth.
You just wonder how anyone with years of experience in the textile industry and that much money to invest could get it so badly wrong. I can only suspect he's the type to close his ears to anyone's advice and be stubborn in his own arrogant belief in his own judgement. Which explains his putting the blame for his lack of sales on the fabric and the public rather than his gross misjudgement and the fact the jackets are dull and dated. And yes, Chinese produced! How illogical is that
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That was exactly the problem wasn't it? He keeps excusing his failure by saying, "the people who love Harris Tweed do so with nostalgia... it's dead", whilst the folk on Saville Row know better. I think people who work on a global scale forget that smaller specialist (though equally successful and luxurious) businesses also have a valid and thriving client base. But he wanted the big bucks by selling the completed product himself rather than run a mill that supplied other businesses... essentially, he seemed to be running a thoroughly modern business model for a product that doesn't quite fit that mold.
And the very fact that his jackets were produced over in China speaks volumes! It isn't exactly in line with the idea of a regional home-grown product. Whereas the Saville Row tailors, by comparison, have clients who are more in tune with the wealth of work, skill and passion that goes into their garments, right down to the choice of cloth.
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