Ivy and Rigg
Meet Amie and Mike who own sustainable lifestyle British clothing brand Ivy & Rigg, based in Newbrough near Hexham.
We met while working as wildlife consultants in Northumberland National Park and decided we wanted to create something that combined our passion for the environment with a love of fashion and style.
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Being based near Hadrian’s Wall also gave us the chance to develop a brand inspired by the heritage of the area. We’ve created a classic range of clothing that is sustainable, ethical and environmentally friendly. Wherever possible, we use UK suppliers, for example, the wool for our Cheviot range comes from Northern wool.
We also produce a range of sweatshirts made using recycled plastic. Any premises we work with outside the UK are certified by internationally recognised organisations to ensure they meet the highest environmental and social standards, from field to finish.
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The name Ivy & Rigg combines our environmental passions with our Northumbrian roots. Rigg comes from Steel Rigg on Hadrian’s Wall, and further research revealed it also means “to clothe”, making it the perfect fit. Ivy stood out as a classic, natural evergreen plant — the ideal complement to the brand.
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Our customers are people who want to live a more environmentally conscious lifestyle in a way that is both sustainable and accessible. We also make charitable donations through our clothing sales: for every order, a tree is planted in the Ivy & Rigg forest in Northern Madagascar, and for every item sold, £1 is donated to a wildlife charity — this year, the Red Squirrel Survival Trust.
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"Sometimes people underestimate what is on their doorstep and from an environmental and sustainable perspective shopping local is invaluable."
How can shopping local help?​
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Many people are becoming increasingly conscious of where they buy from and want to support local and UK suppliers. We’ve definitely seen that reflected in the growing demand for sustainable, British-made products.
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We love meeting our customers at markets and outdoor events and look forward to being out in the community as much as possible. Shopping local not only supports independent makers and small businesses, but also helps reduce environmental impact — something we’re passionate about promoting through our products.
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As more people spend time enjoying their local surroundings, there has also been a positive impact on the environment, with wildlife thriving and landscapes recovering. It’s a change we hope continues long into the future.