A woman in a navy wool jumper and black pants with wellington boots leaning on a wooden gate. An angora goat stands on the grass nearby. In the background, there is a house with a sloped roof and a tree with green foliage surrounded by a fence.

Voice of the Forgotten Flocks

In the Highlands of Scotland, where landscape still dictates rhythm and season, Goatherdess exists at the meeting point of craft, countryside and couture. Founded by designer Polly Reid, Goatherdess creates made-to-order garments from the wool of her own flocks of rare and endangered sheep and the mohair of Angora goats — fibres grown slowly, naturally, and with purpose.

At the heart of Goatherdess is a desire to be the voice of the forgotten flocks that once clothed communities, before wool became standardised and commercialised. Working alongside her animals each day, Polly treats the flocks not as commodities, but as life-long partners whose care, seasons and individuality guide the design process.

This philosophy shapes every decision — from scale and timing to material and silhouette — restoring a relationship between fashion and land that has largely been lost.

From Science to Studio

Before founding Goatherdess, Polly worked as a scientist, driven by curiosity and experimentation. As her career shifted into managerial roles, a longing for hands-on creative work led her to retrain at the London College of Fashion, specialising in bridalwear. There, she developed a deep respect for construction, textile behaviour and the quiet luxury of beautifully made garments — skills that now underpin every Goatherdess collection.

Designing with Wool and Mohair

Unlike traditional fashion houses that begin with silhouette, Goatherdess begins with fibre. Polly designs her textiles first, starting with natural mohair to develop a soft fur-effect fabric that became the foundation of the brand. Rare-breed wool and mohair are transformed into cloth, tweed and knitwear directly from the farm, creating materials that carry provenance as well as beauty.

Each season produces a finite quantity of fibre. When it is gone, the Dressing Room order book closes — a deliberate return to a time when clothing was shaped by what the land and animals could give, rather than by artificial demand. Collections are released in chapters rather than seasons, allowing the work to remain slow, considered and intentional.

A young woman with long blonde curly hair and evening makeup, wearing a black natural fibre faux fur capelet, standing outdoors in a wooded area with trees and a pathway in the background.

Craftsmanship Rooted in Landscape

Design inspiration draws from classical British silhouettes — particularly the enduring femininity of Austen and Brontë — alongside the shifting light, weather and quiet rituals of Highland life. Each piece follows the Parlour to Glen ethos: garments designed to move effortlessly between home, countryside and everyday life, combining romance with wearability.

Mohair is explored not only in knitwear, but also as a fur-effect textile for outerwear, offering a natural alternative to synthetic faux fur and reinforcing Goatherdess’ commitment to material honesty.

Why Slow Fashion Matters

From the beginning, Goatherdess has followed a simple belief:

Where animals, people and the environment are valued as much as products.

Every garment is shaped by place, material and care. Each piece carries a living story — from pasture to parlour, from fibre to wardrobe, from Goatherdess to you.