HRH The Princess Royal visits Seal International
On 1 October 2024, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, in her role as President of the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT), visited Seal International based at Ladywell Mills, a key site of the West Yorkshire-based textile specialist, The SIL Group.
The group employs almost 300 people across multiple UK sites, with a supplier and customer network spanning over 50 countries. Its businesses include Seal International, which sources and supplies raw natural fibres, independent yarn merchant MBA Yarns, luxury woven fabric specialists William Halstead, John Foster, Kynoch of Scotland, and Standeven, interiors fabric producer Abbotsford Textiles, cashmere and accessories weaver Joshua Ellis, and dyeing specialist FTS Dyers.
The royal visit highlighted the key role the fibres division plays in the group’s global operations. Specialising in sourcing natural fibres from origin markets worldwide, The SIL Group supplies premium materials such as cashmere and mohair to a diverse range of clients, from luxury fashion houses to bespoke tailors.
During the visit, The Princess Royal toured the facilities, gaining insight into the intricate processes behind refining cashmere and mohair. She also learned about The SIL Group’s vertical integration model, a key factor in its success, where every stage of textile production—from sourcing raw fibres to delivering finished products—is meticulously managed.
The SIL Group is dedicated to blending its rich heritage with innovation. Many of its businesses have roots dating back over 250 years, with some still operating from their original sites—a legacy the Group takes immense pride in. However, as the Seal family often highlights, heritage alone is not enough to secure future success. Each company within the Group is continually evolving to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced markets, investing in cutting-edge technologies, refining modern designs, and staying ahead of global trends, explained Andrew Seal.
He said: “We are deeply honoured by the royal visit today, which is a testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of our team across all our businesses. While we are proud of our heritage, we are also committed to shaping the future of textiles, and today’s visit reflects the confidence in that vision.”
The Royal Visit forms part of UKFT’s mission to support the sustainable growth of the UK fashion and textile industry.
Nigel Lugg, Chairman of UKFT, said: “We’re excited to introduce The Princess Royal to Ladywell Mills in the heart of Yorkshire’s textile industry and to showcase the wider group, which has links to much of the UK’s luxury textile sector. Most people don’t get to see what goes into creating luxury fabrics at a fibre level – it is inspiring to see the remarkable skill and expertise required in every step of the process.”
