The history of the Barrie company dates back to the turn of the 20th century when two local entrepreneurs Walter Barrie and Robert Kersel opened a factory in Hawick to manufacture the finest knitted hosiery and underwear.

Hawick was then, as now, the world-renowned centre for the production of luxurious and fully-fashioned knitwear.

The two partners gradually built on this reputation by diversifying beyond knitted hosiery and underwear and, in the 1920’s the company introduced cardigans, sweaters and twin-sets at a time when Paris houses such as Patou and Chanel were classifying knitted garments as being innovative fashion items.

By the 1930’s, fashion had become the main focus for production at the Teviot Crescent factory, allowing Barrie to expand its overseas sales rapidly in the post war years.

In 1962 the company name changed to Barrie Knitwear Ltd, and in 1966 it became part of the Dawson International PLC group.

In 1975 Barrie moved from Teviot Crescent to a new purpose built factory at Burnfoot, in Hawick, where it remains today.

Since its post war expansion of overseas sales, Barrie has continued to thrive on the development of its export business. Cashmere and luxury knitwear items can be found in the most prestigious stores around the world from Japan and the Far East to the United States of America and, particularly in Europe which is now effectively treated as part of the ‘home’ market.

In addition to selling Barrie’s own collection the company specialises in developing and producing Cashmere and other luxury fibre products for many of the world’s most prestigious couture houses and luxury private label businesses together with coveted designer labels. It is unlikely that any other knitwear company can boast that their products are shown on so many influential catwalks.