Living in Clips

Let me take you on a little journey I took back in 2019. I was 5 months pregnant with our first born and I decided to travel back to Scotland to document the production of our knitwear from the spinning of our cashmere yarn through to the production of our garments. I had no idea just how deeply this journey would shape the way I thought about the craftsmanship. I had been working on Riachi Studio for a few years by then, but seeing the whole process first-hand — from the soft raw cashmere fibres to the yarn that would later become our designs and discovering that one of our knitted sweaters would pass through around 27 different pairs of hands before completion — felt like discovering the essence of the brand all over again. Since so many of you have asked about our process, both sustainability and ethical sourcing, I decided it was time to put a little more in-depth article about what I discovered visiting our Scottish mills.

Naturally I chose to wear our Riachi Studio cashmere collection along the journey. I have shared those outfits, paired with some highlights from the trip showing the beautiful colours of the Scottish landscape and a few industrial details from inside the mills.

I started my journey at the Todd & Duncan yarn mill which sits on the banks of Loch Leven — a mill that has been spinning yarns for over 150 years. The Todd & Duncan yarns are all the result of generations of expertise: traditional Scottish craftsmanship refined by time, yet still proudly independent as the only Scottish spinner supplying cashmere yarn to fashion houses around the world.

The Scottish cashmere story begins with the hardy, mountain-dwelling goats of the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, whose thick coats include a fine, soft white undercoat which runs from the throat to the belly. This is the tiny portion Todd & Duncan use for their yarn. Because the yield is so limited, only one goat provides enough fibre for a scarf and three for a sweater. The fibre is traditionally collected by nomadic herders who comb their goats in spring, though some now shear instead. Todd & Duncan work closely with approved de-hairers to support sustainable herding and grazing practices, promote high standards of animal welfare, and help protect this traditional way of life within nomadic communities.

Once the fibre reaches Scotland, it is transformed into the world-renowned “Scottish handle” : a yarn that feels robust at first but softens beautifully with wear. Its longevity is no accident: Todd & Duncan have spent almost two centuries refining their techniques to create exceptionally durable, low-pilling cashmere.

The mill sits on the shores of Loch Leven for a reason: the loch’s naturally soft, pure Scottish water helps the cashmere fibres open up, giving the yarn its beautifully even colour and that distinctive Todd & Duncan handle. The fibre is dyed before spinning — a slow, gentle method that creates richer colour and a softer finish. Their dyes are environmentally responsible too, meaning the water can be cleaned and safely returned to the loch once the process is complete.

A sign in the factory reads :

REMEMBER YOUR TRAINING
THE QUALITY OF OUR YARN
DEPENDS ON YOU

Todd & Duncan’s solid shades and melanges are famous worldwide, and for me, this is a huge part of why I chose to work with them. Their colour cards are unlike anything else and they perfectly complement the contemporary design vision I have for Riachi Studio collections. Their mastery of colour comes from a meticulous blending process: every single fibre is watched closely, with technicians adjusting the machinery by hand to achieve exactly the right tone and character.

Carding is where the yarn begins to take on its true life. Each roller is fitted with specially designed card wire to protect the delicacy of the cashmere. It’s a slow, precise stage, but it draws out the best of both the fibre and the colour, creating the beautiful slubbing and texture that define the quality of their yarn.

The yarn is meticulously inspected at every stage of the production process and each batch is uniquely traceable. It was really incredible to see the expansive types of machinery and learn about the stages and practices the raw fibers go through from master craftspeople first hand. There’s a real commitment to longevity, to producing yarn that will be worn, loved, repaired, and handed down.

It reaffirmed my belief that slow fashion isn’t a trend but a way of making and wearing with intention. And it reminded me that Scotland, with its wild landscapes and long-standing traditions, continues to be the engine behind everything I create. If you’ve ever worn something made from Todd & Duncan yarn, you’ve carried a little piece of this story too. And if not yet, perhaps now is the perfect moment to explore our beautiful collection and find something special to add to your wardrobe. Our cashmere archive sale goes live at 9am on Saturday 29th November and we will be offering our customers an amazing discount on our archival pieces to make way for our new collection which is launching in 2026.

***My article was written from notes taken on my trip to the Mills and references taken from the Todd and Duncan website.