Historically all Academic Robes and Scarves were produced on site in one of the rooms above the Shop floor on King’s Parade, in the 1980’s Ryder & Amies moved and expanded their manufacturing to a small workshop in Fenland, Cambridgeshire, where many gowns, hoods and scarves continue to be produced by our team of eight members of staff.
The College Scarf
The distinctive vertical stripes of traditional college scarves dates back to the 1940s when woven saxony wool was torn into strips and sewn together. Ryder & Amies continues to make scarves in this way. No badge was on the original scarf – each scarf was distinguishable by the college/sport/university colours.
Around the 1980’s the popularity of the College Scarf started to diminish and the controversial addition of the embroidered college badge was borne. Whilst we continue to sell the original unembellished version, it is the badged scarf that is most commonly sought after today.
Ancient cardboard templates and a pair of scissors start the process of robe making, using traditional methods of laying and chalking fabric, Ryder & Amies produces hundreds of robes a year. Sourcing good quality fabric, the traditional wool and cotton mix superiour quality Russell Cord is always popular.
Recognising the need for a more affordable product our high quality polyester is also a good choice. Our seamstresses machine sew individual gowns and hoods to a high standard of quality. Many of our gowns are made to order but also readily available in store and online. Our iconic new (2017) label, celebrating British Made manufacturing can be found on all of our British made robes and scarves.
Our range of College clothing has developed and expanded over the last ten years, Ryder & Amies embroider their own college clothing and can offer personalisation and bespoke orders.
This is a growning aspect of the business and it is down to the families’ years of expertise that enables the best possible advice and guidance on bespoke orders.
