Chanel acquired the Scottish cashmere manufacturer Barrie in 2012.
Barrie was founded in 1903 in Hawick, in Scotland’s Scottish Borders. It began as a hosiery manufacturer before developing expertise in high-quality cashmere knitwear. The company had already worked with Chanel for decades, producing pieces including the house’s distinctive two-tone cashmere cardigans.
Chanel bought Barrie Knitwear in October 2012, when its parent company, Dawson International, was in administration. The acquisition was part of Chanel’s broader Métiers d’Art strategy: securing specialist workshops and preserving technical skills that are difficult to replace. The deal also protected the jobs of Barrie’s 176 employees at the time.
Barrie continued making knitwear for other luxury clients, so the purchase was not simply a move to create another Chanel label. Chanel launched Barrie’s own eponymous brand in 2014, allowing the Scottish manufacturer’s heritage and craftsmanship to be presented directly to consumers. The company’s collections are designed in Paris and manufactured in Hawick.