It’s not new news that here at Anthro we’re rather partial to a local artisan or two (or a whole community of crafty makers if we’re being honest). From handcrafted accessories to colourful homewares, we have a long history of supporting, celebrating and collaborating with emerging makers. You could say it’s in our DNA.
So, imagine our excitement when we got the opportunity to slip into the Edinburgh-based studio of The Tartan Blanket Co. What do they do? Well, the clue is in the name. How do they do it? With soul, complete transparency, and a desire to create something that will not only have a positive impact in your home, but on the world around us too – think small production runs and use of natural and recycled materials.
In 2014, with a dream of starting their own business, co-founders (and husband and wife duo) Emma and Fergus Macdonald moved from London back to their hometown of Edinburgh to, in a nutshell, modernise the tartan blanket – a Scottish stalwart with historical significance aplenty.
We chatted to Emma and Head of Design Jade Milne, to delve into their tartan-clad world.
Meet the Maker:
Emma Macdonald
We caught up with The Tartan Blanket Co. co-founder
and their head designer to talk creative influences,
Scottish history & more.
How did The Tartan Blanket Co. come to be?
EM: The Tartan Blanket Co. was born out of a desire to create a brand with real passion and real soul. We wanted to craft beautiful, natural products which would bring warmth to people's hearts and homes, as well as having a truly positive impact on the world around us. However, it has been a long journey to get here and a few curveballs along the way including an unexpected set of twins!
When we first started The Tartan Blanket Co. we travelled a lot looking for the right sustainable manufacturing partners to work with and build long lasting, close relationships. We also took our time in finding the right people to build the amazing team we have now. A team of creative and dynamic people who are leading the way in design, storytelling and delivering exceptional customer service - all of which we knew were key to creating a successful brand. It has taken a lot of late nights and hard work, many many mistakes along the way and a lot of support from our amazing community of TBCo. customers. We are now lucky enough to be selling worldwide and working with amazing retailers such as Anthropologie, a true dream goal moment!
Can you tell us a bit about the history of Tartan?
JM: Tartan has pre-medieval origins and a rich history, with the earliest documented tartan being found about an hour west of where we are based in Edinburgh, dating from the 3rd century AD which is just incredible.
Scottish tartans are a representation of a Scottish clan, and most Scottish families have their own tartan distinguished by their surname, and as much as we like to think of ourselves as tartan connoisseurs, there are approximately 5,000 registered tartans, and more than 150 new tartans designed and registered each day; it is a tough job keeping up.
In our opinion the most iconic tartan is Royal Stewart, boasting a vivid red backdrop and multi-coloured patterning, making it instantly recognisable, but there are so many beautiful tartans out there.
EM: The Tartan Blanket Co. was born out of a desire to create a brand with real passion and real soul. We wanted to craft beautiful, natural products which would bring warmth to people's hearts and homes, as well as having a truly positive impact on the world around us. However, it has been a long journey to get here and a few curveballs along the way including an unexpected set of twins!
When we first started The Tartan Blanket Co. we travelled a lot looking for the right sustainable manufacturing partners to work with and build long lasting, close relationships. We also took our time in finding the right people to build the amazing team we have now. A team of creative and dynamic people who are leading the way in design, storytelling and delivering exceptional customer service - all of which we knew were key to creating a successful brand. It has taken a lot of late nights and hard work, many many mistakes along the way and a lot of support from our amazing community of TBCo. customers. We are now lucky enough to be selling worldwide and working with amazing retailers such as Anthropologie, a true dream goal moment!
Can you tell us a bit about the history of Tartan?
JM: Tartan has pre-medieval origins and a rich history, with the earliest documented tartan being found about an hour west of where we are based in Edinburgh, dating from the 3rd century AD which is just incredible.
Scottish tartans are a representation of a Scottish clan, and most Scottish families have their own tartan distinguished by their surname, and as much as we like to think of ourselves as tartan connoisseurs, there are approximately 5,000 registered tartans, and more than 150 new tartans designed and registered each day; it is a tough job keeping up.
In our opinion the most iconic tartan is Royal Stewart, boasting a vivid red backdrop and multi-coloured patterning, making it instantly recognisable, but there are so many beautiful tartans out there.
In what ways would you say Tartan Blanket Co. pays homage to the history of Tartan?
EM: TBCo. invokes a sense of history with a modern aesthetic. Looking to Scotland’s vivid landscape for inspiration. We design collections of contemporary heritage patterns which experiment with colour, texture and scale. We take well-loved classic tartans, deconstruct them, then creatively put them back together again in unexpected ways to create a range of patterns including ginghams, checks, ombre effects and heathered plains across a variety of palettes and weaves.
Are there any other creative influences that go into your designs?
JM: We look to global trends covering societal themes, colours and patterns influencing both fashion and interiors, then weave them into our own stories inspired by our Scottish roots. Sometimes someone will just spot a wallpaper or image which creates the most wonderful colour mix or design inspiration and then we try to experiment with how we can interpret that into a woven design, which can have some interesting and unexpected design outcomes and turn into our biggest selling blankets!
Are you able to tell us a bit about your process? How does one of your designs go from being an idea through to a physical item?
JM: Once we have finalised our designs in Edinburgh, we work closely with our partner mills and begin the production process. As a conscious brand we tend to avoid sampling where we can as it can be super wasteful. Instead, we have developed smart ways to work around this.
Our longstanding relationship with our partner mills means they are also very invested in our products and put lots of love, skill and craftsmanship into making them. With our recycled wool blankets we are also very mindful that colours do not always come out quite as expected. As they are made by breaking down preloved woollen garments and re-dying them, you always get a slightly different result too but the uniqueness of this process usually results in something even more special and most importantly, incredibly sustainable.
EM: TBCo. invokes a sense of history with a modern aesthetic. Looking to Scotland’s vivid landscape for inspiration. We design collections of contemporary heritage patterns which experiment with colour, texture and scale. We take well-loved classic tartans, deconstruct them, then creatively put them back together again in unexpected ways to create a range of patterns including ginghams, checks, ombre effects and heathered plains across a variety of palettes and weaves.
Are there any other creative influences that go into your designs?
JM: We look to global trends covering societal themes, colours and patterns influencing both fashion and interiors, then weave them into our own stories inspired by our Scottish roots. Sometimes someone will just spot a wallpaper or image which creates the most wonderful colour mix or design inspiration and then we try to experiment with how we can interpret that into a woven design, which can have some interesting and unexpected design outcomes and turn into our biggest selling blankets!
Are you able to tell us a bit about your process? How does one of your designs go from being an idea through to a physical item?
JM: Once we have finalised our designs in Edinburgh, we work closely with our partner mills and begin the production process. As a conscious brand we tend to avoid sampling where we can as it can be super wasteful. Instead, we have developed smart ways to work around this.
Our longstanding relationship with our partner mills means they are also very invested in our products and put lots of love, skill and craftsmanship into making them. With our recycled wool blankets we are also very mindful that colours do not always come out quite as expected. As they are made by breaking down preloved woollen garments and re-dying them, you always get a slightly different result too but the uniqueness of this process usually results in something even more special and most importantly, incredibly sustainable.
The Tartan Blanket Co. has made a pledge, both to the planet and the people. Can you tell us a bit about your commitments?
EM: In 2020 we committed to donating 1% of all our revenue to the planet and 1% to the people. 1% of every purchase made with TBCo. goes to helping protect the environment and offsetting more carbon than we are producing, and 1% goes to charities and community projects around the world to help those in need. This means that each time our customers choose to buy from TBCo, they are also choosing to give to others. They are not only getting beautiful products made and sent with warmth, but that they are sharing that warmth a little bit further.
As small-business owners, it is important to us that wherever this business takes us, it will always have real meaning because it will always be bettering people’s lives and our planet.
Do either of you have a family tartan?
EM: The Macdonald Clan was one of the largest in Scotland and has a lovely tartan which we will be launching very shortly. My maiden name is part of the MaCauley Clan which traditionally had some rivalry with a few clans including the Macdonald Clan, but luckily, we don’t harbour those grudges in our marriage!
When people think of the British design scene, London inevitably springs to mind. What is the art and design community like where you are in Edinburgh?
JM: Edinburgh’s art and design scene is rich, thriving and there is a real sense of community and support. There are so many independent and artist-run spaces, galleries and workshops spread across the city, coupled with the incredible Edinburgh College of Art; just one of five arts schools throughout the city.
EM: In 2020 we committed to donating 1% of all our revenue to the planet and 1% to the people. 1% of every purchase made with TBCo. goes to helping protect the environment and offsetting more carbon than we are producing, and 1% goes to charities and community projects around the world to help those in need. This means that each time our customers choose to buy from TBCo, they are also choosing to give to others. They are not only getting beautiful products made and sent with warmth, but that they are sharing that warmth a little bit further.
As small-business owners, it is important to us that wherever this business takes us, it will always have real meaning because it will always be bettering people’s lives and our planet.
Do either of you have a family tartan?
EM: The Macdonald Clan was one of the largest in Scotland and has a lovely tartan which we will be launching very shortly. My maiden name is part of the MaCauley Clan which traditionally had some rivalry with a few clans including the Macdonald Clan, but luckily, we don’t harbour those grudges in our marriage!
When people think of the British design scene, London inevitably springs to mind. What is the art and design community like where you are in Edinburgh?
JM: Edinburgh’s art and design scene is rich, thriving and there is a real sense of community and support. There are so many independent and artist-run spaces, galleries and workshops spread across the city, coupled with the incredible Edinburgh College of Art; just one of five arts schools throughout the city.
Do you think there are any benefits to creating and designing outside of London?
EM: Being based near the Scottish countryside is what makes our brand unique and personal. It brings a sense of comfort to those receiving gifts who may live in a more industrial environment like London that long for escapism. We take a lot of inspiration from nature and a relaxed, slow lifestyle which London typically doesn't offer, and we find this allows us to be open minded when it comes to designing our product ranges.
We are also extremely fortunate to have a wealth of talent on offer in Scotland, as the retail design industry is small compared to that of London, so we are immensely proud to be growing our team up here and offering exciting opportunities in such a beautiful city!
Are there any other British designers, artists or creators that you particularly admire?
JM: Where do we begin?! There are so many designers and makers we are constantly in awe of, from household names such as Sarah Burton and J.W Anderson, to emerging talent such as Craig Green and Bethany Williams.
Bethany Williams’ ethos and values are super relatable as we feel like this aligns with our brand so much; using fashion as a source for change by collaborating with communities and social projects to create these amazing collections from recycled, pre-loved textiles, giving them a second chance.
EM: Being based near the Scottish countryside is what makes our brand unique and personal. It brings a sense of comfort to those receiving gifts who may live in a more industrial environment like London that long for escapism. We take a lot of inspiration from nature and a relaxed, slow lifestyle which London typically doesn't offer, and we find this allows us to be open minded when it comes to designing our product ranges.
We are also extremely fortunate to have a wealth of talent on offer in Scotland, as the retail design industry is small compared to that of London, so we are immensely proud to be growing our team up here and offering exciting opportunities in such a beautiful city!
Are there any other British designers, artists or creators that you particularly admire?
JM: Where do we begin?! There are so many designers and makers we are constantly in awe of, from household names such as Sarah Burton and J.W Anderson, to emerging talent such as Craig Green and Bethany Williams.
Bethany Williams’ ethos and values are super relatable as we feel like this aligns with our brand so much; using fashion as a source for change by collaborating with communities and social projects to create these amazing collections from recycled, pre-loved textiles, giving them a second chance.