MSc Field Trip to Knockando Mill

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MSc students studying International Fashion Marketing undertook an educational Learning Journey to Knockando Woollen Mill in the north of Scotland

MSc students studying International Fashion Marketing undertook an educational Learning Journey to Knockando Woollen Mill in the north of Scotland. This cultural heritage site is home to Europe's oldest working mill, maintaining traditions and artesan craft techniques to this day.

Students were given a tour of the facilities to enable them to understand the history of the mill and the present day challenges faced by this small high end producer. They were given demonstrations of the production processes and the technical specifications of different yarns and what they are used for.

Following the tour Managing Director, John Mulligan, gave them a talk relating to the marketing approach the mill has adopted and how their focus on quality premium products and bespoke production influences their strategy. Students had the opportunity to ask questions and understand in greater detail the complexities and challenges facing the business.

The visit to the mill enabled them to provide context to their coursework in their New Product Development class which examines the journey of fabric from origin to marketplace.

Following their trip, the International Fashion Marketing students also had the opportunity to visit the House of Bruar in Perthshire. This high end retailer specialises in visual merchandising and quality store layout across a wide range of products including high end fashion to Scottish delicatessen produce. Visual merchandising and demonstrating quality in store layout is a key focus in their understanding of successful fashion marketing.

Here are what our students thought:

Opened my eyes to understand the time and effort that goes into certain aspects of fashion which the consumer is totally unaware of which now I'm more conscious about where, how and 'the story about' my future fashion purchases

Shay McAllister

We had our opportunity to visit Knockando Woolmill ,the traditional textile company with lovely history, kind workers and those beautiful machines. I got to know the producing process that I can't learn from the class, it truly opened my eyes. Our tour at The House of Bruar the next day was also a precious experience, as a Chinese student, I'm happy to see the British culture of Christmas in this shopping mall and it's impressive to feel people having so much passion for Christmas.

Mingyao Sun (Pauline)