Originally founded as the Tartan Blanket Company in 2014, Emma Macdonald’s sustainable wool project has since evolved into TBCo, a B Corp-certified brand specialising in fashion and homeware accessories using only natural and recycled textiles. ‘In fashion, a lot is made of polyester and impactful fibres that, both in manufacturing and disposal, have a really negative impact,’ Macdonald says from her spacious shop, studio and office space in Leith. ‘We loved the concept of the tartan blanket because it was made with all-natural wool, and it was traditional. Tartan doesn't go out of fashion; it always comes back in. So we thought that's a really nice starting product. And then from there, we built it out.’ 

TBCo now offers a range of original cotton pyjamas, from which the offcuts produce one-of-a-kind neckerchiefs, scarves, place mats and hair accessories. ‘We’ve got our own warehouse in Edinburgh where we'll do all of our embroidery. So you can get little initials or names embroidered on the baby blankets or PJ cuffs and things like that for a really nice personal touch.’

While all TBCo products are designed in-house, fabrics are sourced from trusted suppliers to ensure crystal-clear supply chains from start to finish. ‘If you go through the B Corp certification process, you can really guarantee that you are sustainable in those ways. We had to work with our partners to make sure that we had certification for everything.’ In line with those principles, production is kept fairly minimal, with collections revolving more around what can be worn during warmer and colder months as opposed to fashion seasons. 

‘We try not to over-produce,’ says Macdonald. ‘We’re always trying to bring in products you can wear season after season after season.’ Carefully distributing its stock from its Leith HQ, as well as in prestigious retailers like Liberty, Nordstrom and Selfridges, TBCo continues to do just that. 

Tartan Blanket Company, 170b Great Junction Street, Edinburgh.