A SILK mill is weaving history by designing a new limited edition silk scarf in honour of its 210th anniversary.
The Whitchurch Silk Mill scarf, named 'The Final Strike,' was designed by Lucina Carlos from London Metropolitan University, in honour of the mill's 210-year legacy.
The design is inspired by the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and the Waterloo clock, which has been a central feature of the mill for more than 200 years.
Built in 1815, the Whitchurch Silk Mill is a symbol of British industrial heritage, still functioning in its original building and preserving endangered crafts.
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It serves as a living museum, maintaining heritage machinery and nurturing new talent.
The mill has collaborated with the next generation of designers, including fashion and textile students from London Metropolitan University, who worked with the mill's specialist weaver tacklers to create a design.
Stripes, a key feature of Whitchurch Silk, are woven into the design on the Victorian looms still in operation.
Lucina Carlos, who won the recent design competition at the mill, drew on the mill's extensive stripe archive and military medal stripes for her concept, which will be brought to life by the skilled weaver tacklers.
She said: "I’m truly pleased that my story was captivating and aligned with what Whitchurch was looking for.
"I sincerely appreciate this opportunity."
The design competition was made possible by funding from the ‘Weaving Futures’ National Lottery Heritage Fund project.
This initiative provides London Metropolitan University students with invaluable industry experience while preserving historical craftsmanship.
Jessica Bone, commercial director of Whitchurch Silk Mill, said: "It was wonderful to have the students interpret the brief in different ways.
"Lucina managed to capture the significance of the Waterloo clock at the mill and the connections this has to the mill’s history.
"We are excited to see the final design woven on our Victorian looms."
Visitors to the Grade 2* listed mill will be able to see the design in production over the coming months.
Situated on the banks of the River Test, the mill is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30am to 5pm, operating as a working museum.
A growing number of trainees and weavers can still be seen operating the mill’s historic warping, winding, and weaving machinery.
This blend of old and new, tradition and innovation, is at the heart of the Whitchurch Silk Mill's ethos, as demonstrated by this new limited-edition scarf.
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