The journey to The Great Exhibition across the length of a unique scarf

Johnstons of Elgin and Sabina Savage team up on a limited-run scarf line.

Johnstons of Elgin x Sabina Savage; @johnstonsofelgin.com

Family-owned luxury British brand Johnston’s of Elgin is celebrating its 225th anniversary by enlisting the considerable talents of illustrator Sabina Savage to design a new set of scarfs commemorating one of the most significant moments in the manufacturer’s history: its participation in the 1851 Great Exhibition.

This year marks Johnstons of Elgin’s 225th anniversary, and to mark this historic occasion, they’ve teamed up with fellow Walpole member Sabina Savage to celebrate one of the most illustrious moments in the manufacturer’s biography. In 1851, Henry Cole and Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, hosted the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park, London – the event that would require the construction of the famous Crystal Palace, designed by architect and botanist Joseph Paxton. On show were marvels of innovation from across the world, and Johnston’s of Elgin was there to exhibit its pioneering work weaving cashmere and vicuna in Scotland. Following this, the manufacturer was awarded a medal for “Superb Vicuna Shawls”.

Johnstons of Elgin x Sabina Savage; @johnstonsofelgin.com

Johnstons of Elgin x Sabina Savage; @johnstonsofelgin.com

Johnstons of Elgin Instagram; @instagram.com/johnstonsofelgin/

To commemorate this moment, illustrator and textile designer Sabina Savage has created a unique tapestry print that takes inspiration from this moment in time, including The Crystal Palace, native animals, Scottish foliage, and nods to both the River Thames and the River Lossie, on the banks of which Johnstons of Elgin was established more than two centuries ago.

Sabina established her business in 2014 after spending three years in Paris studying the art of couture. Her London-based studio creates exquisite silk scarves, clothing and accessories, visually narrating fantastical stories featuring exotic animals from the past and present.

‘I design two collections each year, each with a different theme,’ Sabina explained. ‘I do lots of research, I go to exhibitions and find something that interests me, then I write a short story around that.

‘For this project, I took Johnstons of Elgin’s own brand story and added my own fictional tale. I incorporated my usual themes of animals and the Scottish countryside, so the animals are carrying threads to London to show their wares at The Great Exhibition at The Crystal Palace.’

“My designs always have a story, so it was wonderful to be able to illustrate the historic story of Johnstons’ journey from Elgin to London for The Great Exhibition across the length of the scarf,” says Sabina Savage of the collaboration. “The design shows the animals of the Scottish Highlands helping to transport the threads and fabrics to display in London, starting with the stag and hare, and weaving ‘downriver’ to the London pigeon and swan. I particularly love the way this piece starts and finishes with nature. The process begins with the beautiful cashmere fibres, through the illustrated creatures, and finishes with the teaseling process at the mill in Elgin.”

This design features across three limited-edition ‘Great Exhibition’ scarves, availble in two types: a lighter scarf composed of 78% cashmere and 22% silk; and a heavier scarf composed of 71% cashmere and 29% merino wool.

Johnstons of Elgin x Sabina Savage; @johnstonsofelgin.com

“2022 is a milestone year for us and is a chance to celebrate how far we have come in our 225-year history.” said Chris Gaffney, Johnstons of Elgin’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our collaboration with fellow Walpole member, Sabina Savage, is the perfect marriage of craftsmanship and heritage.”

Sabina said, ‘I was on a trip to New York with Walpole and met some of the Johnstons of Elgin team. I already knew of the brand, and we discussed doing something together to mark Johnstons of Elgin’s 225th anniversary.

‘I spent a month drawing the illustration, which, like all my work, is based on a story, in this case, Johnstons of Elgin’s journey to The Great Exhibition in London in 1851. The illustration starts on the left in Scotland, and all the animals travel across the stole to London. I know how important the river is to Johnstons of Elgin’s processes, so the river moves across the bottom, and there are many details to represent Scotland’s beauty.’

The Great Exhibition Scarf retails at £399 and £449 respectively.

Johnstons of Elgin x Sabina Savage; @johnstonsofelgin.com

Johnstons of Elgin x Sabina Savage luxury scarf; @johnstonsofelgin.com

Johnstons of Elgin x Sabina Savage luxury scarf; @johnstonsofelgin.com