When you hear the name clare campbell, think of someone who defied the corporate ladder, embraced heritage, and rose as a champion of ethical fashion. In the global struggle against fast fashion’s hollowing of tradition, Campbell stands out—not just as a tartan designer, but as a cultural custodian. Her brand, Prickly Thistle, has reignited Highland weaving, revived local communities, and reshaped how we perceive tartan on a global scale. This in-depth profile explores her journey, mission, achievements, and how her work is ensuring tartan isn’t just a relief-print souvenir, but a sustainable symbol of identity and craft.
From Accountant to Artisan: The Unlikely Origin Story
Born in Inverness in 1978, Campbell pursued a career as a chartered accountant, building a solid foundation in finance over thirteen years. Yet, after experiencing personal loss, she underwent a powerful reevaluation of purpose. She realized that a life defined solely by balance sheets lacked enduring meaning. Driven to honor legacy and forge a more meaningful contribution, she pivoted sharply, channeling her energy into the world of textiles—specifically tartan, Scotland’s iconic cultural fabric.
Reflecting on this shift, Campbell remarked, “Tartan is all about legacy, identity and symbolism… remembering those who inspired us.” This recognition—that fast fashion had commodified a cultural treasure—fueled her resolve to restore tartan with authenticity.
Prickly Thistle: A Brand Rooted in Values
Founding Principles
When Clare launched Prickly Thistle in 2017, it was more than just a textile brand—it was a statement of resistance. At the time, not a single textile mill existed in the mainland Highlands of Scotland, and tartan had largely become mass-produced abroad, disconnected from its Scottish identity. It was a call to action, a rallying cry: “we will fight for transparency and value.” In the words of Campbell, she and her team were “prepared to go to the frontline.”
Pioneering Authentic Weaving in the Highlands
Campbell set out to restore weaving traditions at Highland scale. She saw Black House Mill on the Black Isle as both cultural landmark and operational foundation—a space to restore heritage looms, revive community craftsmanship, and facilitate a new generation of artisanal weaving.
“Wear Your Values” as a Brand Credo
Prickly Thistle’s tagline—Wear Your Values—distills Campbell’s vision. It’s a rejection of disposable fashion and an embrace of garments that reflect cultural identity, ethical sourcing, and mindful consumption. Products are produced with zero-waste design, natural fibers, and locally sourced labor, reinforcing the authenticity of every thread.
Crowdfunding the Dream: #BuildTheMill Campaign
Kickstarter Beginnings
With limited access to traditional funding, Campbell launched a series of Kickstarter campaigns—aptly named #BuildTheMill—to finance Black House Mill’s restoration. Between multiple seasons, she secured impressive backer engagement: one campaign closed with £80,633 pledged by 539 backers. A follow-up round amassed over £65,000.
A Story-Driven Appeal
Campbell’s campaign resonated globally. Her pitch combined heritage, sustainability, and emotional resonance: “this is like buying any brand’s product online… but it’s about craft revival.” She emphasized that fast fashion is a political and ethical choice—supporting exploitation or environmental destruction.
Global Support & Symbolic Products
Backers earned exclusive fabric items—double-width plaid, limited-edition tartans—woven on restored looms. Her approach humanized tartan consumption: buyers were supporting craft, heritage, and community. Many hailed from the U.S., Canada, and beyond, while Scotland’s domestic market remained smaller but increasingly engaged.
Ethical Leadership: Fair Pay & B-Corp Principles
Living Wage Employer
Prickly Thistle is more than a creative venture—it’s an ethical one. Under Campbell’s leadership, the company joined the Living Wage Scotland initiative, paying real living wages to all employees since inception, and gaining accreditation in 2020. She says pride lies not just in product, but in people: “Showing respect… makes for a fair and fun place to be.”
B-Corp Certification
In adherence to strict standards of social and environmental performance, Prickly Thistle became the UK’s first B-Corp certified textile mill. This recognition confirms that its practices—from sourcing to packaging—are transparent, accountable, and sustainable.
Sustainable Innovation and Zero-Waste Practices
Beyond Fibers: Biotech and By-products
Campbell sees opportunity in what others consider waste. Partnering with academic institutions, she’s exploring how lanolin—a by-product of sheep’s wool—can be repurposed into skin care or textile treatments. Her ambition is clear: each thread should respect the material’s life cycle.
Circular Design and Recycling
Prickly Thistle is actively designing for garment longevity and circularity. They experiment with end-of-life recycling, ensuring that polyester contamination is minimized and materials can return to the system responsibly.
High-Profile Collaborations & Cultural Impact
Runrig Farewell Show Tartan
Campbell’s impact is recognized even in popular culture. She designed a tartan for the legendary Scottish rock band Runrig’s farewell shows, now officially registered—proof of her increasing influence.
Miss Scotland at Miss World
One of Prickly Thistle’s standout creations—a zero-waste “Rebel Warrior Queen” outfit—was worn by Miss Scotland and made the top 20 at Miss World 2024. The bold design spread international awareness of sustainable Scottish fashion.
Bespoke Tartan Projects
Campbell’s studio also crafts bespoke tartan designs. One noted collaboration, with Investing Women, launched a symbolic cloth in red and black featuring GPS coordinates and a timeline storyline—woven into delegate lanyards and corporate scarves since 2017.
Overcoming Challenges & Rebuilding Confidence
Skepticism in the Highlands
Campbell’s efforts were not unopposed. Many questioned investing in dwindling Highland weaving. She faced doubts, inertia, and eye-rolling responses. But echoing her title of “Tartan Rebel,” she persisted—determined to “prove them wrong.”
Resilience in the Face of Failure
Her initial Kickstarter failed. Rather than retreating, she analyzed mistakes, refined her messaging, and returned with clarity—subsequently gaining funding. She has called failure itself “not a bad thing,” emphasizing that inaction is the real failure.
Community Building: Rebels, Education, and Transparency
Global Rebel Team
Campbell built more than a brand—she built a global community of backers, volunteers, and supporters, united by shared values. This Rebel Team formed the core of her marketing, funding, and mission.
Student Engagement
Prickly Thistle supports the University of the Highlands and Islands through a “Rebel Fund,” and collaborates on research, ensuring local students receive real-world project experience.
Suppressing Social Media; Cultivating Depth
Ironically, Campbell avoids superficial digital marketing. Instead, she focuses on “kind, real, meaningful” connections—prioritizing substance over likes.
The Road Ahead: Scale, Sustainability, Legacy
Black House Mill Activation
Campbell’s immediate focus is complete restoration and scale-up of Black House Mill: establishing it as a self-supporting micro-hub with community-based employment and artisanal output.
Circular Textiles & Material Innovation
Future agendas include recycling systems, eco-fiber sourcing, lanolin valorization, and closed-loop production. This work places Prickly Thistle at the cutting edge of sustainable textiles.
Cultural Stewardship
Campbell’s mission transcends profit. She aims to keep tartan “relevant, relatable, real.” She wants it respected as a cultural artifact, not a tourist gimmick.
Why clare campbell Matters
Heritage in Craft
Campbell illustrates how heritage skills can thrive in modern economies. She rescues looms, techniques, and community identity—ensuring tartan isn’t merely worn, but understood and cherished.
Fighting Fast Fashion
Amid global textile waste and exploitative supply chains, she offers an aspirational model: local, transparent, sustainable, and emotionally resonant.
Ethical Entrepreneurship
Campbell merges business acumen with cultural stewardship, proving that profit and principles aren’t mutually exclusive. Her B-Corp certification and Living Wage commitment reflect that integrity.
Global Inspiration
From Kickstarter to Miss World, she demonstrates how purpose can broaden reach—drawing worldwide support for an intensely local project.
Conclusion: The Rebel Thread That Binds
clare campbell didn’t merely design tartan—she reignited its soul. She embodies purposeful entrepreneurship, rooted in identity, heritage, and community. A chartered accountant-turned-visionary, she defied expectations and transformed a cultural relic into a living, breathing craft revival.
Her work is a blueprint for combating fast fashion, restoring local pride, and honoring the materials that shape our shared history. As Prickly Thistle’s mill continues its journey, Clare’s legacy weaves together threads of sustainability, innovation, and respect—proving that the past can guide the future, one tartan at a time.
