Ex-Evening News columnist to sell cashmere range in Jenners

Lynne McCrossan pictured in Jenners with her cashmere range. Picture: Ian Rutherford

But now one of the city’s leading style queens has created a new must-have for collections across the Capital.

Former Evening News columnist Lynne McCrossan has gone from writing about her favourite subject to designing her own cashmere range – before signing an exclusive retail deal with one of the city’s biggest department stores.

Lynne’s garments have been unveiled in Jenners in Princes Street alongside her new book, Cashmere: A Guide to Scottish Luxury.

The 32-year-old spent months visiting mills around the country, and finally came up with the idea for six unisex items.

As she travelled, her passion grew for Scottish cashmere and the way it is portrayed across the world.

She then took her dreams into her own hands and launched her own range – named Cross Cashmere.

The Argyle, a monochrome jumper made in Hawick, and The T-shirt, a knitted sweater, are just two of the elegant garments included in the new collection.

Mum-of-one Lynne said: “Scottish cashmere is the best in the world and I wanted to tell its story.

“It is a mixture of three components – the goat, the water and the artisan.

“The highest grade of cashmere comes from Mongolian goats, where the fur is combed off from under their belly and chin.

“It is then flown over to Scotland where it is mixed with the high quality of Scottish water.

“It creates a material that is like no other.”

She added: “I see what comes down the catwalk all the time, so I was confident with my range.

“There are staples that everyone has to have; for example, a jacket, and that formed the backbone of the collection.”

Cross Cashmere, which launched earlier this month, is already proving popular with visitors to Edinburgh.

She said: “The reaction from tourists so far has been amazing. Especially Americans and the Portuguese, they just get the Scottish quality that we as Scottish people often take for granted.”

Lynne’s garments, which are set to be showcased at the Fringe as well in Jenners, range from £260-£400.

Comedians such as Helen Duff, Elliot Steel, Johnny Cochrane, Kate Lucas and Masud Milas have even been modelling the designs during the Festival.

Scottish cashmere has been at the forefront of luxury textiles for more than 200 years.

Fans of the luxurious wool include Hollywood icon Grace Kelly and design royalty such as Chanel.

Lynne’s book goes behind the scenes to show why Scottish cashmere is so special. Her collection is on sale at Jenners exclusively until October 3.