Tweed is hot

This summer sportswear company Nike announced that it would be featuring tweed woven by Scottish weavers in its trainers. With an order of 10,000 metres of Harris Tweed, it surprised many by showing support for these Scottish craftsmen instead of the usual sweatshop practices that the company is otherwise associated with.

Positive publicity and a prediction of high sales appear to be the result of supporting the arts. Although the women's trainers are a few weeks late arriving in stores, Nike have already received many requests for orders. Unfortunately, they do not accept reservations. Consumers will simply have to wait until next month.

Harris Tweed is a unique material, handwoven by the islanders of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra in their own homes, using pure virgin wool. The wool has been spun and dyed in the Outer Hebrides and the name is protected by the Harris Tweed Act of Parliament in 1993. The trainers will feature the Nike swoosh in Harris Tweed and Harris Tweed's own logo.

The women's shoes will be for sale at Niketown on Oxford Street in London from November at a retail price of £60. Other stores have yet to confirm when they will be receiving the trainers.