After spending more than 25 years teaching up-and-coming fashion designers, Jayne Smith has turned her attention to her own future.
Jayne, who lives in Galashiels, is the former director of learning and teaching at the town’s world-famous School of Textiles and Design, part of Heriot-Watt University.
She has now established an environmentally responsible luxury brand – Cream to White of Scotland.
A number of the region’s specialist textile firms and producers are benefitting from Jayne’s new venture.
She said: “I’m extremely lucky to be working with amazingly talented weavers, dyers and embroiders based on my doorstep.
“Having that resource to draw from is priceless, and combined with the heritage of the region and the textiles I have sourced, their skills have helped create products that are unique and desirable.
“It’s amazing how every Cream to White of Scotland product rotates back to where they were originally conceptualised, here in Galashiels.”
Using only natural and high-end textiles, the first collection designed by Jayne includes 400 thread count bed linen, bathrobes in bamboo, and throws in natural fibres such as alpaca, cashmere and lambswool.
She has been helped by Business Gateway, and said the organisation’s support has been ‘a godsend’.
Business Gateway’s Sandra Campbell said: “Jayne is giving her customers products that are handmade and finished to the highest standard, while supporting small, niche companies within our textile industry.”
Talking about launching a luxury brand during such a tough economic time, Jayne said: “Because of the economic situation, people are investing in their current homes, treating themselves to luxurious items that help them retreat from the stresses of the day.
“My first collection allows people to do just that by helping them turn their bedrooms into a sanctuary, somewhere they can escape and relax in comfort.”
The products are on sale online and at Cream to White at Chic Interiors in Melrose.