Trendy fashion label Fred Perry are selling a range of ‘Donegal jumpers’ which are actually made in…….China!
The English company has been accused of cashing in on the romantic image of rural Ireland.
The clothes house, which counts Modfather Paul Weller and the late Amy Winehouse among their fans, have just launched their Autumn collection.
And amongst the clothing is a line of Donegal knitwear which the designer claims it took its inspiration from Ireland’s rich heritage.
Its brochures boast “Take inspiration from heritage fabrics this season with this reworked Donegal tweed sweater, knitted in rich lambswool.
“Giving a nod to rural styling with the additional of tonal patches on each elbow, this soft knit has the appearance of the traditional Irish tweed.”
However the reality is that the wool used in its Donegal clothing does not come from Ireland at all.
In fact the label claiming to be in the name of rugged sheepfarmers from Ardara, Glenties and Glencolmcille actually makes its Donegal sweaters in CHINA!
A number of wool and tweed manufacturers said they knew nothing about the Fred Perry Donegal collection.
And the biggest Donegal tweed producer, Magees of Donegal Town, said they certainly weren’t connected with the range.
“We don’t know who is supplying them with the material but it’s definitely not us,” said a spokesman.
One other wool supplier from West Donegal said “Fred who? I don’t think I’ve ever met him?
“Has he a shop in Donegal? I don’t think we supply our wool to him.”
And the price of garments from the aptly named Donegal range doesn’t come cheap.
Some of the simply Donegal crew neck sweater which feature Fred Perry’s signature Laurel Wreath cost £100.
A spokesman for Fred Perry said ”Please note that the Donegal Crew Neck Jumper for Fred Perry is inspired by the Donegal Tweed. Our version is lambswool,” he said.