Pringle

Born in the 1780's, Robert Pringle founded a sock, hosiery and underwear company in Harwick, Scotland in 1815.

Pringle then developed into one of the largest companies specializing in the production of cashmere, lambswool, merino and Shetland wool. For some time it was a subsidiary of Dawson International, the world's largest processor of raw wool. It is today owned by the Fang Brothers, the Hong Kong textiles group who bought it in 2000 for 9 million pounds.

During the 1920's and 1930's the name Pringle became synonymous with cashmere twinsets, cardigans and sweaters. Otto Weisz, the great Austrian designer from Vienna, brought the company to its high-fashion status, attracting Royalty and Hollywood clients. He is credited with establishing cashmere as a fashion staple.

One of Pringle's most popular patterns is the Argyle multi-coloured diamond pattern, an approximation of the tartan of the Scottish clain Argyle.

The company is also known for traditional Intarsia sweaters, hand-inland with flower motifs and patterns.

The Queen Mother was a long-time Pringle customer, and in their archives are several letters from our present Queen Elizabeth.

Pringle CEO is Kim Winser, who was handpicked by Kenneth Kang, to bring Pringle into the 21st century.

The present designer at Pringle, is Stuart Stockdale. He was born in 1970, and studied fashion design at Central St. Martins Fashion College, and the Royal College of Art in London. Stockdale previously worked for Romeo Gigli, Jasper Conran and J. Crew, and was hired to restore the luxury and innovation that Pringle was known for in the 1970's. He has been carefully mining the Pringle archives for inspiration for his current collections.

Among celebrities who enjoy wearing Pringle Argyle patterned sweaters is David Beckham.

Find fashion by Pringle @ the following eshops: