David Gallimore, the Managing Director of John Foster recently took the time to sit down with the new team at Pepper Lee to discuss reasons why it’s important to choose premium cloth.

As both John Foster and Pepper Lee are companies within the SIL Group, we felt appropriate to share and spread the message.

Q: What is premium cloth?

Premium cloth is an embodiment of craftsmanship, quality, and heritage. It starts with the selection of the finest raw materials, often handpicked and meticulously sourced. These materials, be it alpaca, cashmere, or rare wool, are chosen for their superior attributes – softness, durability, and a luxurious feel and we only select the finest of these fibres to be used for luxury coating, jacketing and suiting.

Q: Can you tell us about the craftsmanship involved when making cloth?

Crafting premium cloth is an art form. Each process is time-consuming, requiring patience, precision and years of experience.

Our skilled craftsmen meticulously weave, dye, and finish each piece with the upmost care at our Yorkshire mills and hand-check every metre of cloth to ensure that every detail is perfect before it is shipped to customers.

Q: What sets premium cloth apart from regular fabrics?

Premium cloth often features unique and intricate patterns, weaves, and finishes using the finest fibres. Our processes require a high level of expertise and artistry, using the highest quality techniques whereas mass-produced ‘regular’ fabrics are often made with cheaper materials and spend less time perfecting each roll.

Our cloth is simply incomparable to anything else on the market.

Q: Is there a sustainable aspect to cloth production?

Absolutely. Sustainability practises are a key part of our cloth production. Our cloth is certified, and we are constantly taking various measures to minimise our environmental footprint. These initiatives include responsible water and energy usage, waste reduction, and eco-friendly manufacturing processes.

You will notice across many brands within the SIL Group that they hold the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) certification, this means that this fabric is sustainable and fully traceable – something which is very important to us.  

Q: Why should people invest in premium cloth?

Premium cloth isn’t just a piece of fabric; it’s an investment in quality, longevity, and timeless style. The price reflects the effort and artistry poured into each piece and the exceptional materials and craftsmanship poured into making each cloth, ensure that these fabrics last over repeated wears and with proper care, generations.