2002, MAY

 

KNITWEAR FIRM WINS FASHION 'OSCAR

A small family run clothing firm - which boast Prince Charles as one of its customers - has scooped a major fashion award. Corgi, based in South West Wales, has won top honours for its knitwear at the UK Fashion Export Awards.
The Carmarthenshire company was founded in Ammanford in 1893 producing hosiery for the coal industry.
In the past two years, the firm has grown from strength to strength and has more than doubled its export sales.

Around 65% of its turnover now supplies key markets in the United States, Japan and Germany.
The UK Fashion Export Awards are recognised as the ultimate export accolade within the clothing industry.

Corgi's Managing Director Huw Jones said workers at the factory were delighted with the award. He said: "It is like winning an Oscar for us. It is a tremendous morale boost for the staff and a recognition of their hard work and skills. "The award is a benchmark to compare ourselves against other manufacturers within the industry."

FAMILY CONCERN

Forty people work at the Ammanford site for the family run business. Huw Jones' son, Chris, is the production director and daughter Lisa Wood is the design director.

Corgi's clients include Hermes and Balenciaga couture houses in France, Ralph Lauren in the US and Paul Smith in London. The company also holds a royal warrant for supplying garments to Prince Charles and all knitwear is still handmade using natural fibres.

Meanwhile another Welsh winner at the prestigious awards was the former Welsh Designer of the Year, Lezley George. Ms George from Cardiff picked up the Designer Award for her work - 70% of which is exported to fashion markets in the USA, the Middle East and Europe.

The British fashion industry forms one of the largest employer and exporter groups in the UK, with over 200,000 people exporting goods worth approximately £3bn every year.

 

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